The Delta State Police Command said it has foiled attempts by some suspected kidnappers to swoop and kidnap guests attending a graduation ceremony at the Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara.
The Police Public Relations Officer, a Superintendent of Police, Bright Edafe, while confirming the incident, revealed that arms and ammunition were also recovered in the operation.
His words: “On the 13th of August 2024, while students of Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara were having their graduation ceremony, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Oghara Division received credible information that some suspected kidnappers had already perfected plans to kidnap guests who must have come to attend the ceremony.
“The DPO Oghara Division, a Chief Superintendent of Police, Olasunkanmi Musiliu, acting on this information reacted swiftly, mobilised and led operatives of Oghara Division to their hideout in a bush along Otefe/ Ovade Legit Road.
“The suspected kidnappers on sighting the police took to their heels and escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries from the gun duel with the Police.
“One AK-47 rifle, one magazine, one English pump action gun, and one locally made cut-to-size gun were recovered. A manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.”
Similarly, on the 14th of August 2024 at about 7:45 pm, a Police anti-crime patrol team attached to Oghara Division while on ‘stop and search’ along Otefe Ijomi Community Road, intercepted a motorcycle carrying one 22-year-old Ovoke Benedict, a native of Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Benedict is a computer science student at Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe, Oghara. Also on the motorcycle was 23-year-old Fredrick Urhoborume of Ughelli North LGA and a student of Business Administration, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe Oghara.
According to Edafe, the policemen subjected them to a search during which one locally made cut-to-size gun with six live cartridges was recovered from them.
He said that preliminary investigation revealed that they were suspected to be members of Arrow Barger Confraternity.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda while thanking the people of Delta State, urged them to do more by providing useful, credible and timely information to the Police as this will aid immensely in the fight against crime and criminality.
