[News] Notorious kidnap kingpin, gang member arrested for abducting couple and collecting N1m ransom in Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a notorious kidnap kingpin and one other over their involvement in a series of armed robbery, kidnapping operations in Ughelli and Warri.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, May 14, 2023, said the kingpin,  Emmanuel James and his criminal gang abducted a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Okutonye Efetobore, and collected N1m ransom before releasing them.

The suspect led operatives to Ejewu community, in Udu Local Government Area and arrested the syndicate driver, one Ejiro Peter,  25, a native of Kokori community in Ethiope East LGA.

According to the PPRO, the two kidnap suspects further led operatives to another notorious member of their criminal gang known as “oh lord” at Egbike area of Udu.

The suspect, upon sighting the police, engaged them in a gun duel and escaped through the ceiling of his apartment with bullet injuries.

“Sequel to the kidnap of Mr and Mrs Okutonye Efetobore on 27/04/2023 in Ughellli town, and a ransom of one million naira was paid before their release, the Commissioner of Police Delta state, CP Wale Abass psc, directed the Command Decoy squad to embark on an intelligence led investigation and ensure that the kidnappers are arrested and brought to book,” the statement read.

“In compliance with the CP’s directive, on 11/05/2023, at about 2315hrs, operatives of the command Decoy squad led by the commander, Asp Julius Robinson acting on credible intelligence gathered, embarked on a sting operation and arrested one Emmanuel James ‘m’ aged 32yrs of Otor-Udu, Ughelli South LGA, who is suspected to be the leader of the gang.

“On 12/05/2023, at about 0230hrs, the suspect led the operatives to Ejewu community, Udu LGA and arrested the syndicate driver, one Ejiro Peter ‘m’ aged 25yrs, a native of Kokori community in Ethiope East LGA.

“They confessed to their involvements in series of armed robbery, kidnapping operations in Ughelli and Warri which includes the kidnap of Mr. and Mrs. Okutonye Efetobore on 27/04/2023, at Ughellli town and a ransom of one million naira (#1,000,000.00) was paid before the couple was released.

“On 12/05/2023, the suspects led the operatives to another notorious member of their criminal gang whose real name is unknown but fondly called “oh lord” at Egbike area in Udu.

“The suspect, upon sighting the police, engaged them in a gun duel and escaped through the ceiling of his apartment with bullet injuries. When his apartment was searched, a bag containing a locally fabricated pistol and three (03) rounds of 7.62 AK47 live ammunition were recovered. Manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.

“The Commissioner of Police Delta State command, CP Wale Abass, assures residents that the command will be working round the clock to ensure that anyone terrorizing the state will be arrested and brought to justice.”