Police arrest suspected kidnapper, cultist, recover firearm

The police in Delta State have arrested a 20-year-old suspected kidnapper during a joint security operation, recovering two live cartridges and one expended cartridge.

Operatives of the State Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Ubuluku, arrested the suspect, identified as Musa Mohammed, on Friday, in collaboration with officers of the Ogwashi-Uku Police Division, the Civilian Anti-Cult Unit, and local vigilantes.

Bright Edafe, the police spokesperson in the state, disclosed this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the operation was conducted in the Ubulunor area of the state.

The police said the suspect was being investigated for alleged involvement in kidnapping activities.

Police arrest suspected cultist, recover firearm

In a separate operation on the same day, police operatives arrested a 37-year-old man suspected of cultism and armed robbery in Abraka.

The suspect, identified as Adogbeji Johnson, alias Highman, was arrested at about 4:45 p.m. by operatives of the command’s Quick Response Squad, who acted on credible intelligence.

The police said Mr Johnson was believed to be a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, also known as Aiye.

A search of his Toyota Sienna vehicle led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size firearm, two live cartridges and a cutlass.

Recent kidnapping incidents

The arrests come amid other reported kidnapping incidents and police operations against suspected criminals in the oil-rich state.

PREMIUM TIMES last month reported that police rescued a woman who was abducted outside her residence in the Amukpe neighbourhood of Sapele Local Government Area.

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The woman was abducted as she attempted to drive into her compound. Her abductors fired gunshots before taking her into a nearby bush.

Police operatives, working with local vigilantes, searched the area overnight. The kidnappers subsequently abandoned the woman and fled before she was rescued unhurt and reunited with her family.

PREMIUM TIMES also reported the rescue of a kidnap victim and the arrest of suspected cultists in the state, highlighting further police operations against violent crime in the state.

Police urge residents to provide information

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Samuel Erale, reiterated the command’s commitment to combating violent crimes through intelligence-led policing.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to help security agencies identify and apprehend criminal suspects.