By AUSTIN OGWUDA
ASABA— DELTA State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, has redeployed some Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, for recording increased cases of kidnapping within their divisions, as part of strategies to rid the state of kidnapping and other related crimes.

He also said  a total of 44 kidnap suspects were arrested in the state within one month.

Although, the CP was silent on the number of  DPOs affected by the sweeping changes, he, however, described the the officers as “overwhelmed DPOs.”

Addressing a news briefing at the state police headquarters in Asaba yesterday, Aduba said:   “As part of my strategies, overwhelmed DPOs were redeployed. You will recall that my strategies and road map upon assumption of duty about a month ago have continued to pay off.

“To God be the glory, the spate of armed robbery and kidnapping has gone down tremendously. It was a dogged fight against men of the underworld.

“So far, 44 kidnappers and 15 armed robbers have been arrested. Also 9 kidnappers/ armed robbers have been gunned down in different gun duels with hoodlums.”

Commissioner Aduba also told newsmen that prior to the commencement of the just concluded South-South summit, he created  inter-security agency committee and joint operations room for all the agencies.

According to him, “this enhanced inter-agency synergy and collaboration seen during the South-South Economic summit held in Asaba last week.”

He also said four suspects were arrested while trying to collect a ransom of  N500,000 requested for the release of a sister to the Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Mrs. Zokumor, kidnapped recently.

The CP  stated that eventually his men were able to rescue the woman unhurt and recover her Honda CRV Jeep.