Don Awunah

The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday said it had arrested one of the suspected kidnappers and killers of the Obi of Ubulu-Uku community in Delta State, Edward Akaeze Ofulue 111.

The Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP) Don Awunah, who presented the suspect and others to newswmen said the suspect, Umar Mohammed aka `small` was arrested by a team of special anti-kidnapping operatives on July 19 at Abraka, Delta.

He said that the suspect was one of the wanted kidnappers responsible for the murder of the monarch on Jan. 5 along Obior/Igbado link road in Delta.

Awunah said that one of the victims who escaped from the kidnapper identified Mohammed as one of the suspects.

“The suspect has confessed to be a member of the kidnapping gang that kidnapped and killed the monarch, “he said.

The spokesman said that investigation was being intensified to arrest other members of the gang who are at large.

In a related development, Awunah said that the police had also arrested eight suspected kidnappers in Delta.

The suspects are: Vincent Obukowho, Mkpere Johnson, Oghenerouna Umokoro and Blessing Akpere.

Others are: Evidence Okoro, Awulu Godwin, Odogwu Frank and Lamil Garuba.

He said that the arrests were made possible through a nationwide coordinated operation based on support and deployment of technical platforms.

Awunah said that with the arrest of these suspects, Delta and other neighbouring states would have a sigh of relief.

“The police will not rest until these miscreants whose activities are inimical to the nation’s development are checkmated,“he said.

He said that items recovered from them included a Hyundai car with registration number As 189 AA, one fabricated G3 rifle and one double and single barrel gun.

Others are; one dane gun, three live cartridges, one rope used to tie their victims, one Samsung galaxy `J` 7 cell phone and a black and white designed piece of cloth.

He said that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrhaim, had commended the members of the public whose cooperation led to the success of the operation.

The spokesman assured that all the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigation. (NAN)