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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Four kidnap victims in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State have been rescued by operatives of the state police command, after they were abandoned in the bush by their abductors.
The victims were kidnapped on Monday while on transit along Abraka-Eku Expressway, by Orerokpe Bridge, with the hoodlums demanding a hefty N10 million ransom.
But, in a swift response, a combined security team, comprised the police, army and local vigilantes, trailed the kidnappers into the adjoining bushes, using technically generated intelligence.
Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the rescue yesterday in a statement, said “operatives 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 kidnap 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.”
Edafe also confirmed the arrest of two suspected armed robbers and the recovery of arms at separate locations in the state.
He said during an intensive stop-and-search operation at Aragba Junction, along Sapele-Aghalokpe Road, operatives accosted one Sunday Yerakpo in possession of four new locally-made cut-to-size guns. He said the 35-year-old male suspect, who hails from Orhuwhorun in Udu LGA of the state, concealed the guns under the seat of his red Qlink motorcycle marked 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 the said Ose Ogboyen and Saputu are ongoing.”
Edafe added that acting on credible information, operatives arrested a 25-year-old suspect, one Prince Diegbegha, in Ogulagha, Burutu LGA.
“When a search was conducted at his residence, one Makarov pistol, with an empty magazine, was recovered. During interrogation, the suspect stated that he bought the gun for N200,000.00 from one Oshimili (now late) in the year 2018, at Ozoro. The suspect and exhibit are in custody and investigation is ongoing,” he stated.
