From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
A notorious interstate kidnapping syndicate operating across Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo States has been dismantled by operatives of the Delta State Police Command.
Police operatives hunted down the syndicate following an intelligence-based tracking of the alleged suspects from Delta to Rivers, Enugu and Imo states.
Among the suspects is Idirisu Yakubu, a 21-year-old from Kwara State, who was arrested in Port Harcourt. Yakubu was said to have led detectives to the gang leader, Bello Amodu, 40, of Sokoto State.
Police also tracked during further investigations Umar Mohammed Beto, 38, who is suspectedly the coordinator of the Enugu axis of the syndicate.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe who confirmed this yesterday, in a statement, said that the operation in which the ring leader was arrested led to the recovery of dangerous firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, multiple pistols, and various ammunition.
He said that besides the AK-47 rifle with 23 rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with 7 rounds, and other firearms including locally made guns and a fabricated Beretta pistol were recovered.
Giving a graphic details of how police busted the hoodlum, Edafe said; “On 16/5/2025 at about 1745hrs, operatives of CP – Special Assignment Team (CP – SAT) successfully dismantled a notorious interstate kidnap syndicate that has been operating in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo State. The operatives followed a trail to Port Harcourt, where they arrested a syndicate member named Idirisu Yakubu, a 21-year-old male suspect from Kwara State, but a resident of Elelenwo area, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“Upon interrogation, on 17/5/2025 at about 1320hrs, he led operatives to the arrest of their gang leader and coordinator viz: Bello Amodu “M” 40 years of Tangaza LGA, Sokoto state but a resident of Elelenwo area Port Harcourt, Rivers state who is coordinating the various syndicates within the South – South and South-East region.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of Umar Mohammed Beto ‘m’, 38 years of Tsamiya village, Bagudu LGA, Kebbi State, a resident of the Oil Mill Area, Port Harcourt area of Rivers State, who is said to be the one heading the Enugu axis.
“Upon further interrogation, at about 0635hrs of the same date, they led operatives to a bush along Ughelli – Ozoro Road where one AK-47 Rifle loaded with twenty-three (23) rounds of live ammunition and a pump action with seven (7) rounds of live cartridges were recovered. Investigation is ongoing.
He said that the police, in a separate operation, apprehended Benjamin Benemor, 53, in Warri South LGA, during a raid on his residence, recovering a Beretta pistol, multiple guns, and live cartridges.
“In a separate incident, operatives of the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based at Ughelli, while acting on intelligence, trailed a kidnapping/armed robbery suspect, stormed a residence located in Warri South LGA, and arrested one Benjamin Benemor, ‘m’ age 53 years. Upon search of his residence, the following exhibits were recovered: One English Beretta Pistol with magazine, One English Double Barrel Pump Action Gun, One English Single Barrel Gun, One Locally Made Single Barrel Gun, One Locally Made Short Double Barrel Gun, One Battle Axe, fifteen Live Cartridges”.
Additionally, suspects Blessing Ngbajime and Okpako Oghenhovo were arrested along the Asaba-Benin Expressway with a fabricated Beretta pistol.
“On 15/05/25 at about 0630hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), while on stop and search along the Asaba-Benin Expressway, flagged down a Jetta vehicle with reg no: ASB18BH with two male occupants named: Blessing Ngbajime, age 49 years, and Okpako Oghenhovo, age 27 years. Upon search of the vehicle and the occupants, One Fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from Okpako Oghenhovo. Investigation is in progress, and the apprehended suspects are undergoing profiling and interrogation”.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, has commended the professionalism of the officers and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information.