By Samuel Ogude(Warri)
The Delta State Police Command have neutralized two suspected kidnappers in Delta Community. In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe said on the 24th December, 2022 at about 2300hours, operatives of ‘B’ Division Warri patrol team, while on night surveillance patrol duty along Okumagba Estate Roundabout in Warri South LGA, intercepted a tricycle with two male occupants and they were subjected to a search.
The statement added that during the search, three live cartridges concealed under the seat of the tricycle were recovered and the suspects were taken into custody.
The statement added that when the suspects were interrogated, they confessed to be members of a five-man-kidnapping syndicate operating around Warri and its environs. The statement said, when the Police acted on the suspected kidnappers’ confessions, on 25th December, 2022, the suspects led Police Operatives to their hideout at a house located along Upper Erejuwa Street, where one (1) AK49 rifle with breach no. 11876, One (1) locally-made-double-barrel-long gun and two (2) machetes were recovered.
The statement further added that, on their way back to the Police Station, the two suspects jumped out of the moving Police’ Hilux vehicle in an attempt to escape, but the policemen gave them a hot chase adding, in a bid to demobilize them, they were maimed by the operatives, and rearrested. The statement added that the suspects however died while they were being taken to the hospital. At the time of filling this report, manhunt for the other members of the gang is ongoing.