Operatives of Decoy squad of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a 32-year-old suspected kidnapper, Emmanuel James, ‘m’, and the syndicate driver, one Ejiro Peter, ‘m’, 25, at Otor-Udu, Ughelli South Local Council of the state.
Spokesperson for the Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Bright Edafe, who confirmed the development, said the suspects were arrested on May 11, 2023, at about 23:15hrs.
Edafe stressed that the arrest led by the operatives’ commander, Julius Robinson, who acted on credible intelligence gathered from undisclosed sources.
He said they immediately embarked on a sting operation upon receiving the information and arrested Emmanuel James, who was suspected to be the gang leader.
According to him, the following day the suspect led operatives to the Ejewu community, Udu Local Council, where 25-year- old syndicate driver, Ejiro Peter, a native of Kokori community in Ethiope East council was arrested.
“They confessed to their involvements in series of armed robberies, and kidnapping operations in Ughelli and Warri, which include the kidnap of Mr. and Mrs. Okutonye Efetobore on April 27, 2023, at Ughelli town and after they had collected a N1 million ransom.
“The two suspects led the operatives to another notorious member of their gang whose real name is unknown, but fondly called ‘Oh Lord’ at Egbike area in Udu.
“The suspect sighted the police from afar, engaged them in a gun duel, and escaped through the ceiling of his apartment with bullet injuries.
“When his apartment was searched, a bag containing a locally fabricated pistol and three rounds of 7.62 AK47 live ammunition were recovered, “ Edafe added.
