Intelligence gathered on some kidnapping incidents in the Warri axis revealed that it is being carried out by one suspect named Yakubu Ya’u, a 20yrs suspect who resides in Kaduna, but always comes to Oha and Ughwagba Communities in Okpe LGA, to kidnap unsuspecting residents for ransom.
On the 11th of May 2024 at about 1743hrs, following combined effort from police operatives of the command and operatives from the Force Intelligence Unit, Abuja on the hideout of the suspect, the DPO Orerokpe, CSP Paul Oboware, immediately mobilized and led his patrol teams to his hideout in Warri, and after a painstaking search of the entire area, the said Yakubu Ya’u was arrested. Preliminary investigation and interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of two other key gang members: one Musa Yakubu ‘m’ age 25yrs from Kogi State and one Abdulahi Mohammed ‘m’ age 38yrs from Cameroon on 12/05/24 at about 1049hrs. The suspects are allegedly responsible for several kidnapping incidents in Orerokpe, Sapele, Warri, and environs.
The victims have equally identified the suspects. The suspected kidnappers led the detectives of the Orerokpe Division to Ughwagba Community in Okpe LGA, where Two Automatic Pump Action Guns, One Live Cartridge, and one knife were hidden and buried in the bush were recovered. Preliminary investigations are still ongoing, and efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the gangs are on top gear..
On the 10th of May, 2024 at about 1500hrs, while acting on a report made at Ozoro division, a report was made at the Ozoro Division, police operatives arrested one Michael Udo (m) aged 20yrs, during investigation, a search warrant was executed in his premises where a Locally Made Revolver Gun and Two live Cartridges were recovered in his house. Investigation is ongoing.
Likewise on the 14th of May, 2024 at 0300hr, the DPO Obiaruku Division received a report from a distress caller, that he was being bullied and forced into a cult initiation. On the strength of the complaint, the DPO Obiaruku mobilized police operatives and arrested the suspect identified as Chinedu Okolo ‘m’ aged 31yrs of Ezhionum Community. One Locally Made Double Barrel Pistol and the handset forcefully taken from the victim were recovered from them. Efforts are in progress to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
CP Abaniwonda Olufemi cautions youths to shun all forms of criminality, cultism, and abuse of drugs. He reassured the public that the police would do due diligence in the relentless pursuit of those who seek to disrupt the collective peace of the state.
