By Christopher Oji
Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected kidnappers and foiled one kidnap attempt in the state.
The suspects were arrested by CP-DECOY Squad, led by the commander ASP Julius Robinson.
In a statement by Delta State Police Publlic Relations Officer PPRO DSP Bright Edafe, said,” the continued focus by the Command to protect the lives of all peace-loving residents of Delta State has led to the arrest of members of a kidnapping syndicate that have been a menace in Oghara, Sapele, Warri, and environs.
“Upon receipt of information related to the kidnap of a 43 years old woman (name with-held), who was kidnapped by a syndicate of armed men in a tricycle along Shell Road Sapele on November 11, while driving in her ML-350 Mercedez Benz. The Victim was taken in her vehicle, until the vehicle ran out of fuel; they moved her into their operational tricycle. She was released on on November 22, after payment of N2.000,000 ransom.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Wale Abass detailed operatives of CP-DECOY Squad, led by the commander ASP Julius Robinson, directing that they utilize all technically generated intelligence to get the perpetrators of the act. Consequently, on November 25, the team embarked on a sting operation assisted by the DPO Sapele which led to the arrest of the syndicate’s gang leader, Morrison Godwin, 41, from Okpara Water Side Community in Ethiope East LGA of Delta State at Amukpe Area of Sapele Town at about 1100hrs of the same date.
“The suspect confessed to the crime and revealed an intended meeting with other gang members on the same to strategize on another kidnapping operation. Armed with this information, the team laid an ambush at their meeting point on November 26, and arrested the other gang members viz: Raymond Etchie, 46, who negotiated and received the said ransom; Felix Okoro, 40, who is one of the syndicate’s operational driver; Oghene Ogaga sylvester, 45, who guarded the victim; Henry Edeki, 35, Ominike Sunday, 23, Jerusalem Sunday, 35, and Theophilus Akpofi, 29. All the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted their various roles and have been identified by the victim.
“The suspects, during interrogation disclosed the location of the victim’s vehicle which was later recovered at Oghara Town. Effort is being intensified to recover the syndicate’s operational weapons.
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State applauded the DECOY Squad for their diligence that culminated in the arrest of the kidnappers, he also assures the public that more achievements are on the way, as the command is out to ensure the collective safety of the people of Delta State. He once more urged the public to always trust the Police to