CP Ari Muhammed Ali
By Jon Egie
The police have shot dead a dare devil kidnapper, member of a kidnap gang that terrorized parts of Delta State today, Sunday, April 3.
The gang intercepted a fourteen-seater bus with reg no M831-FJK along Aniagbala Community via Ubulu-uku express Road in Aniocha south LGA, conveying sixteen occupants, kidnapped thirteen of the passengers who were taken to the bush.
Prompted by the information, Delta State Commissioner of Police CP Ari Muhammed Ali directed that the DPO Ogwashi-Uku Division to lead men into the bush and ensure that the victims were rescued unhurt and also arrest the suspects.
The DPO, CSP Mohammed Naallah swiftly led a combined team of Police operatives and Vigilantes into the bush and gave the hoodlums a hot chase which led to exchange of gun fire.
One of the suspects was hit and died on the spot while the other members of the gang escaped with bullet injuries.
“All thirteen kidnapped victims were rescued alive and unhurt and One AK47 rifle was recovered. The bush is still being comb with a view to arresting the other fleeing members of the gang.
Meanwhile, Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have also rescued a kidnap victim around Igbide near Oleh in Isoko South LGA.
A statement issued by the Command’s PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe said on Friday, April 1, at about 0430hrs, a distressed call was received from an anonymous caller in Igbide community, Oleh that some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers numbering about five (5) operating in a blue color Toyota Camry suspected to be conveying an abducted victim was spotted heading towards an isolated bush path in Igbide.
“Consequently, the DPO Oleh Division SP Paul Obaware swiftly mobilized and led a combined team of Police/vigilante’s in search of the vehicle with a view to rescuing the victim and arresting the hoodlums.
” The hoodlums upon noticing that the Police were closing up on them attempted to relocate the victim but were met with a stiff resistance from the Police. One of the suspects named James Michael ‘m’ a.k.a biggy aged 29yrs that has been on the Command’s wanted list was arrested while others escaped.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is among the syndicate that kidnapped a woman (name withheld) early this year in Oleh and also part of the syndicate that attacked policemen in IDU Roundabout about two months ago.
“The Victim (name withheld) who was rescued unhurt stated that he was kidnapped at Otor-Whe community on 29/03/2022 at about 1522hrs. Victim has been reunited with his family while manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.” The statement added.
