Police operatives have arrested Ndubisi Okechukwu, a former two-term councillor representing Emu-Uno in Kwale Local Government Area of Delta State, after an attempted kidnapping was thwarted.
According to a statement by Bright Edafe, the Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, the arrest followed credible intelligence received by Divisional Police Officer Florence Onum of the Abbi Division, revealing a plan to kidnap a prominent individual in the Abbi community.
Acting on the intelligence, DPO Kwale and division operatives launched a discreet investigation, leading to the arrest of Hon. Ndubisi Okechukwu on October 21, 2024, at around 7 p.m. During questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted to the plot, attributing his actions to grievances over his suspension from the councillor position.
“He further stated that he wanted to kidnap the said woman so that the Local Government would pay the ransom since he knew the woman was close to the local government chairman.”
Meanwhile, the suspect is in custody as investigation is ongoing on the matter.
In a similar development, acting on credible intelligence gathered on the activities of a suspected kidnapper, one Philip Onoghosa, the gang leader of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising the Sapele-Warri Road, the operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team, on October 25, 2024, at about 1730hrs, went on the trail of the said suspect in Sapele town.
According to the PPRO, the suspect who was at Amukpe Roundabout buying illicit drugs sighted the operatives and took to his heel, abandoning one Black Toyota Corolla with Registration Number SKL330AE.
Upon search of the vehicle, one Baretta pistol loaded with two live ammunition was recovered. The police noted that a manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.
“Also, on October 22, 2024, at about 1700hrs, the Safer Highway Patrol Team deployed to Sapele, while conducting an intensive stop-and-search along the Mosogar Benin Road, flagged down a Toyota RAV4 SUV, black with Reg. No. KUJ-311-MB.
“The driver, before getting to the checkpoint, manoeuvred the vehicle and sped off while the police operatives immediately went after him. The suspect, on noticing that the policemen were closing in on him, abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush.
“The vehicle was recovered and upon search of the vehicle, the vehicle particulars bearing the name and contact of the owner were found. The owner who was immediately contacted stated that the vehicle was stolen from his compound in Kogi State. Two metal master keys and 14 different Toyota vehicle keys were recovered,” the statement noted, adding that investigations have been launched into the matter.
Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has reaffirmed the command’s dedication to reducing crime across the state, ensuring that residents can feel secure.
He noted that with the onset of the Ember months, there may be an uptick in criminal activity. In response, police officers have been deployed across all 25 local government areas to conduct intensive visibility patrols, alongside ongoing raids of identified criminal hideouts and hotspots to maintain safety.