Delta police kill kidnapper, arrest three suspects

• This information was shared in a statement signed by SP Bright Edafe, the police public relations officer for Delta State Command
  

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The Delta State Police Command’s special anti-kidnapping operatives, deployed to the Ughelli area, have neutralized a suspected kidnapper in a gunfight, during which three others were arrested and are now in police custody.

The Command reported that one AK-49 rifle was recovered from the hideout of the suspects, and the investigation is ongoing.

This information was shared in a statement signed by SP Bright Edafe, the police public relations officer for Delta State Command, and made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.

The statement revealed that the police team, acting on credible intelligence and in-depth technical data related to the kidnapping of a male victim (name withheld) on May 17, 2024, in the Adjakota area of Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, who was later murdered by the kidnappers, successfully cracked down on the deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for the crime.

“The police operatives, on July 1, 2024, at about 1200hrs, reportedly stormed the hideouts of the suspected kidnappers and arrested one Ismaila Umaru (28), of Kekura village, Awe LGA of Nasarawa State but resident at Oghara town by Power Line in Delta State.

“Umaru, on July 4, 2024, at about 2030hrs, led operatives to the arrest of two other gang members namely Chede Mohammed, (18), a native of Nasarawa State but resident at Agwara in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and Mohammadu Sani (26), a native of Banbiru area of Abuja but resident at Upper Agbarho Area of Ughelli North.

“Acting on their confession, the police team on July 5, at about 0530hrs, stormed the bush by Oviri-ogor in search for other gang members. The operatives however encountered an attack from the other gang members and during the gun duel, one of the suspects hiding in the bush sustained serious gunshot injuries and was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment,” the statement read partly.