The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a notorious robbery and kidnapping syndicate terrorising various parts of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Warri. He said the arrests were carried out on Saturday, June 28, by operatives of the CP-SAT squad in coordinated operations at Ughelli town and Osubi, both in Okpe Local Government Area of the state.
According to Edafe, the suspects are believed to be responsible for a string of violent crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping, across Warri, Ughelli, Agbarho, Sapele, and surrounding communities.
“One of the suspects was earlier apprehended and, during interrogation, confessed to being part of a criminal syndicate involved in kidnapping and robbery. Following his confession, he led the police team to Osubi and Ughelli town, where two additional members of the gang were arrested,” Edafe revealed.
He further disclosed that one of the suspects was found to be the owner of a Point of Sale (PoS) machine used by the gang to collect ransom from victims’ families.
During the operation, police recovered a locally made gun along with eight rounds of live cartridges from the suspects.
Preliminary investigations, according to Edafe, revealed that the gang was behind the abduction of a pharmacist in Ughelli town on June 19. The suspects were also linked to a failed kidnapping attempt on April 28, during which they robbed a male victim of his Toyota Corolla in Iyede community, Isoko North Local Government Area.
“The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and bring them to justice,” Edafe added.
He assured the public of the Command’s commitment to rid the state of criminal elements and urged residents to report suspicious activities to the police.
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