The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of a kidnapper, arrest of six other gang members and recovery of arms in Oko-Ogbele community, near Asaba.
The State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Alhaji Mustafa, gave the confirmation in a statement signed by the acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Aniamaka.
The Commissioner of Police stated that the suspect “sustained some injuries” in an attempt to escape during cross fire with the police.
“He was rushed to hospital but was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” he wrote.
CP Mustafa said the remains of the suspect had been deposited at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, while the Police recovered one Pump Action and one cut-to-size locally made Pistol from the kidnap syndicate.
CP Mustafa also said that one of his men, Sgt. Emeka Out, sustained injuries during the shoot-out with the bandits.
The arrested suspects include: Onyedika Okolie (22yrs), Uchegbunam Gabriel (21), Stephen Michael (23), Uzor Chukwuemeka Henry (23), Obi Onyekachi Gerald (20) and Chukwuemeka Awogu (24).
Mustafa said that sometime last year, a kidnap syndicate made up of five men, had detailed Obi Onyekachi Gerald to monitor and report to them about anybody that has ransom value, for abduction.
According to him, “Obi Onyekachi Gerald monitored a victim named Josephine Anomfueme (44) and disclosed her identity to his kidnap syndicate.
“On the 9th February 2018, the kidnapping syndicate led by one Stephen Michael aka “leader” jumped into the victim’s compound through the fence and tied down the security man.
“The hoodlums damaged a water tap very close to the victim’s bed room and water over flooded the compound. When the victim came outside to check the water tap, the kidnappers surrounded her and ordered her into the house on gun point, stole her phones and whisked her into her Toyota Corolla and drove to Oko-Ogbele where the victim was later rescued.
“Her vehicle was recovered and four suspects were arrested. On interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and implicated one Onyedika Okolie and Chukwuemeka Awogu and others now at large as members of their kidnapping syndicate.
“On 10th February 2018, while the investigating team was on their way for search and recovery of arms, they ran into the ambush of kidnapping gang, which attempted to rescue the suspects.
CP Mustafa stressed that it was during the cross fire between the police and the bandits that Sgt. Emeka Otu sustained injuries, while the suspect got killed.