From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
A Point of Sell Operator (POS) operator in the Ovwian Aladja area of Delta State has been arrested for collaborating with suspected kidnappers to empty the accounts of victims.
Also arrested are five members of the syndicate that specialsed in taking victims into custody and forcing them to continuously transfer money until the account is emptied.
The hidden activities blew open when a couple informed the police about their ordeal in the hands of the suspects last month. The couple’s complaint is coming on the heels of a similar report by another victim in April, this year.
As such, detectives embarked on a discreet and intelligence-led investigation and arrested the POS operator, whose account the hoodlums always transfer money from their victims account.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP, who confirmed the development in a statement issued yesterday, said the POS operator provided investigators with credible information which led to the arrest of the 33-year-old gang leader, Adim Lucky Onweiyali, on June 1, 2023.
“The suspect led the police to the houses of other gang members and, also, to the house of one Akporido Stanley ‘m’, age 56 years, who hid the weapon for them. One locally made gun, and three live cartridges were recovered.”
Edafe also confirmed that two other suspects, Ogheneovo Abdnego (17) and Chidi Okpanachi (31), were arrested with a gun, which they claimed belonged to a friend who had jumped out a moving tricycle on sighting the police.
Also arrested, according to Edafe, was a syndicate that specialised in stealing motorcycles in the Ozoro and Kwale areas of the state. He said four motorcycles were recovered from the suspects, adding that all the cases were under investigation.