By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command in cinjunction with the local vigilantes have arrested one Oghenefegor Francis, the king pin of a six-man gang of kidnappers who reportedly abducted one Williams Aduenwomah of Ozoro community on March 27, this year.
Aged 28 years, Oghenefegor Francis is said to be from Aradhe community, in the area.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state Command told our correspondent that four of the gang members have earlier been arrested while investigation is ongoing.
According to the police spokesman, luck ran against the kidnap syndicate on April 20 at about 2 a.m. when the operatives, acting on a tip off, stormed on their criminal den.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ozoro, CSP Ogedengbe Areguamen, led police operatives with the assistance of vigilantes and stormed the criminal hideout at Aradhe community and arrested the kingpin.
In another development, on the 20/4/2021 at about 1830hrs, based on tip off, the divisional police officer ‘A’ Division, Wlarri CSP T.Y Mahmud mobilized Quick Response Team who trailed and arrested one Nnachi Cypraim who is said to be one of the prime suspects mentioned in a confessional statement of the gang leader of an armed robbery syndicate, one Gift Famous, popularly known as Bubune who was earlier arrested.
The suspect, Nnachi Cypraim, who hails from Afikpo LGA of Ebonyi State was arrested at a popular departmenta store in Warri in connection with series of car snatch at gun point.
The suspect allegedly confessed to the crime of which he was arrested and also identified Bubune as being his friend and inmate at Oko Prison, Benin.
The suspect further led the police investigative team to Otokutu for the recovery of a snatched Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. FKJ 86 ET gold in colour which was fraudulently changed to black colour.
Other exhibits recovered included a forged international driver license with the name and picture of Bubune.
Also on 20/4/2021 at about 0830hrs, policemen from ‘A’ Division, Asaba while on stop and search intercepted one Lexus 330 with reg no GWA 303 BF.
The suspect on sighting the police, quickly turned the vehicle and tried to escape, but the Patrol and guard officer ASP Awosika Olabode quickly mobilized the patrol team and gave the suspect a hot chase.
One kenneth Edemba (52) and Chukwuemeka Edemba (25) who were the occupants of the vehicle were arrested.
On searching the vehicle one live cartridge, one sachet of tramadol and 14 different phone patches were recovered, police sources said.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police for the state, CP Ari Muhammed Ali, in a bid to reduce the crime rate in the state, has continued to direct the raiding of black spots and also going after criminal elements across the state, “in order to have a crime free Delta State”.