Nigeria: Delta police bust kidnap gang operating across four states, recover weapons
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Police operatives in Delta State have made a major breakthrough by dismantling a well-known kidnapping syndicate that had been terrorizing residents across Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states.
According to a statement released by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the success came through the efforts of the CP-Special Assignment Team, who tracked and arrested key members of the group.
It all began on May 16, when officers traced one of the suspects, 21-year-old Idirisu Yakubu, to the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt. He’s originally from Kwara State but has been living in Rivers. During questioning, Yakubu led police to the arrest of the gang’s alleged leader, 40-year-old Bello Amodu, also living in Elelenwo. Bello is said to coordinate various arms of the group across the South-South and South-East.
Further investigations led officers to another suspect, Umar Mohammed Beto, 38, who allegedly headed the Enugu operations of the group. He was arrested in the Oil Mill area of Port Harcourt.
Following their confessions, police recovered a loaded AK-47 rifle and a pump-action shotgun hidden in a bush along the Ughelli–Ozoro Road. The weapons included 23 rounds of live ammunition and seven cartridges.
The Delta police confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
More Arrests and Weapons Seized
In a separate incident, officers from the Eagle Net Surveillance Team in Ughelli arrested a 53-year-old suspect, Benjamin Benemor, in Warri South. He was reportedly linked to kidnapping and armed robbery.
A search of his home revealed a small arsenal: an English Beretta pistol, a double and single-barrel gun, two locally made firearms, a battle axe, and 15 live cartridges.
On another front, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) stopped a suspicious Jetta car on the Asaba–Benin Expressway. Inside were two men—49-year-old Blessing Ngbajime and 27-year-old Okpako Oghenhovo. A search revealed a fabricated Beretta pistol in Oghenhovo’s possession.
Police Commissioner Commends Officers
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, praised the officers for their courage and professionalism. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring safety across the state.
“These arrests show that we are ready to tackle crime head-on. We won’t allow anyone to disrupt the peace in our communities,” he said.
He also called on residents to remain alert and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
