The Operatives of Delta State Police Command Command on Tuesday nabbed a suspected arms dealer and rescued four kidnapped victims at Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of the Delta, Nigerian Tribune reports.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Edafe Bright, in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the suspect, one Sunday Yerakpo, was apprehended during a stop and search by operatives of the Crack Squad of Orerokpe Division.
He stated that four new locally-made cut-to-size guns were concealed under the QLINK Motorcycle of the 35-year-old male suspect when he was searched and was arrested immediately.
Giving details about the rescue of the kidnapped victims, he further disclosed that the victims (names withheld) were kidnapped while on transit along the Abraka-Eku motorway by Orerokpe Bridge with a demand of N10 million in ransom.
The operatives of the division, with the active support of the Nigerian Army and the members of the community vigilantes, swept through the bushes a bit to rescue the victims when the report of the kidnapping was made known to the division.
The victims were found abandoned and rescued when the kidnappers sighted the police and made a run for their lives.
The police also announced the arrest of Prince Diegbegha, who was found in possession of a Makarov pistol with an empty magazine by operatives of the Ogulagha Police Division during the weekend.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having bought the gun for the sum of N200,000 from one Oshimili (now deceased) in the year 2018 at Ozoro.
The suspect and Exhibit are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing, the statement added.
CP Wale Abass assures residents that the command won’t relent in doing all it takes to protect the lives and properties of the populace in the State.
“ARREST OF A SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER/RECOVERY OF FOUR LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUNS: In line with the mandate of the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Wale Abass PSC, to fight crime and curb the prevalent excesses of criminals in the State, the DPO Orerokpe Division deployed the Crack Squad of the Division to embark on proactive and crime-preventing policing within his area of responsibility.”
“This Crack Team, in a combined effort with the Aragba vigilantes, initiated an intensive stop and search operation at Aragba Junction along Sapele Aghalokpe Road, Okpe LGA, where they accosted one Sunday Yerakpo in possession of four new locally-made cut-to-size guns.”
“The 35-year-old male suspect, who hails from Orhuwhorun in Odu LGA, concealed the four new locally fabricated cut-to-size guns under the seat of his red QLINK Motorcycle (REG NO. JRT178VH).”
“The suspect was immediately arrested, and preliminary investigation revealed that he deals in gunrunning and that one of his accomplices, known as Ose Ogboyen ‘m’ sent him to deliver the arms to a client popularly known as “Saputu”. Efforts to arrest Ose Ogboyen and Saputu are ongoing.”
“On 12/9/2023 at about 1600hrs, acting on information of the kidnap incident reported at Orerokpe Division on 11/9/2023, at about 0400hrs, four persons (names withheld) all residents of Orerokpe were kidnapped while on transit along the Abraka-Eku motorway by Orerokpe Bridge, Okpe LGA, and that the kidnappers were demanding Ten Million Naira (#10,000,000.00) ransom.”
“The DPO of Orerokpe Division, CSP Paul Oboware, in a swift response, led a team of Policemen, with the active support of troops of the Nigerian Army and members of Oreorokpe community vigilantes, to trail the kidnappers into the adjoining bushes using technically generated intelligence.”
“They combed the bushes relentlessly, putting pressure on the kidnappers, who, on sighting the rescue team, hastily abandoned the victims and took to their heels.”
“Consequently, all the kidnapped victims were rescued and taken to the hospital, where they were treated, discharged, and have since been reunited with their families. Efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” the statement reads in part
