By Akpokona Omafuaire, Ughelli

THE Delta State Police Command has apprehended four suspected kidnappers who earlier killed their victim and engage in kidnapping activities in Ughelli environ. One AK-49 assault rifle was also recovered.

There has been an upsurge of kidnapping activities around the Oviri-Ogor axis of Ughelli North recently.

This was revealed in a press statement by Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe Saturday.

Vanguard reports that insecurity concerns made CP Abaniwonda Olufemi on resumption as Commissioner of Police Delta State to change the security architecture in Ughelli, and deployed a new divisional Police officer to Ughelli Division.

The CP also directed the deployment of a special operations team to Ughelli led by ASP Julius Robinson with a clear mandate to flush out kidnapers in the area.

According to Edafe, “This proactive measure taken by the CP has been paying off and is still paying off as the special team has again cracked down a gang of four suspected kidnappers in Ughelli.

“Acting on credible intelligence gathered over a period and an in-dept technical intelligence related to the kidnapping of one male victim (name withheld) kidnapped on 17th May 2024 at his resident in Edjekota area In Ughelli North LGA of Delta State and later murdered by the kidnappers.

“The operatives on special assignment led by ASP Julius Robinson cracked down the deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for the act on 01/07/2024 at about 1200hrs and arrested one Ismaila Umaru 28yrs ‘m’ of Kekura Village In Awe LGA of Nasarawa State but resident at Oghara town by Power Line, Delta State.

“On 04/07/2024 at about 2030hrs the suspect led operatives to the arrest of two (2) other gang members namely Chede Mohammed ‘m’ 18yrs a native of Nasarawa State but resident of Agbarho in Ughelli North LGA of Delta State and Mohammadu Sani ‘m’ 26yrs a native of Banbiru area of Abuja but resident at Upper Agbarho Area of Ughelli North.

“Acting on their confession at about 0530hrs of 05/07/2024, the operative stormed the bush by Oviri-ogor where the operatives encountered an attack from other gang members where one of the suspect hiding in the bush sustained serious gunshot injuries and was taken to the hospital where he died while receiving treatment. One AK 49 rifle recovered in the hideout and investigation is ongoing.”