Warri, Delta State – In a high-stakes operation on August 12, 2024, Delta State Police operatives engaged in a gun battle with a suspected kidnapper in Ewu community, Ughelli South Local Government Area. The confrontation resulted in the death of the suspect and the arrest of three additional individuals linked to a kidnapping syndicate.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, the operation began when the CP Special Squad, stationed in Ughelli, followed up on an investigation involving a previously apprehended suspect, Joel Ofoye. The investigation aimed to locate a notorious gunrunner believed to be supplying arms to the syndicate.
During the operation, the police were ambushed by the gang members, who attempted to free Ofoye. Despite coming under heavy attack, the police managed to repel the gang, forcing them to retreat. The suspect who was injured in the exchange was taken to the General Hospital in Ughelli but died while receiving treatment.
The police recovered a significant cache of weapons from the gang, including a Beretta pistol with four rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with nine cartridges, and a locally fabricated revolver.
In a related development, the police have intensified their crackdown on a kidnapping syndicate following the abduction of a 29-year-old victim in Kokori Community, Ethiope East LGA, on February 17, 2024. The victim was kidnapped at his residence in Sapele, where N5 million was transferred from his bank account by the abductors.
Following the victim’s release and subsequent report to the police, Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered a comprehensive investigation. Acting on intelligence provided by the victim, the CP’s Special Squad, led by ASP Julius Robinson, raided the hideout of a key syndicate member known as “Sapiro” in Sapele. During the raid, another Beretta pistol was recovered.
The operation also led to the arrest of key members of the syndicate, including Tony Binitie, a.k.a. ‘Bobo,’ the gang leader from Big-Warri Community in Warri South LGA; Ejiro Ewuba, from Uwelogbo Community in Isoko LGA but residing in Sapele; and Ayuba Hussaini, a resident of Hausa Quarters, Sapele. Hussaini was found to have received N1 million transferred from the victim’s account.
The suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crimes, and further investigations are underway.
The Delta State Police have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling crime and ensuring the safety of residents, with ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates and curb kidnapping activities in the region.
