The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnap victim arrested eight suspects and recovered three firearms 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp in separate operations across the state.
The operations conducted between October 20 and 23 followed intelligence gathering and targeted raids on suspected criminal hideouts and residences.
The revelation is contained in a statement on Saturday by the command’s spokesman SP Bright Edafe.
The police spokesman said the operations were part of efforts to combat kidnapping armed robbery cultism and other criminal activities in the state.
Edafe said that in one of the operations operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Police Division working with local volunteer groups rescued a 23-year-old man abducted at Owa-Alero on October 19.
He said the victim was reportedly abducted in front of his residence by two suspected kidnappers and dragged into a nearby bush.
He said following a report by the victim’s brother the police launched a search of the surrounding bushes and rescued him the next day.
Edafe said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He also said that in a separate operation on October 23 operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit raided a hotel in Abraka suspected to be a hideout for drug-related activities.
He said six suspected cultists were arrested during the raid while a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp was recovered.
The police spokesman said some individuals fled on sighting the operatives adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership and source of the recovered firearm and identify other persons linked to the incident.
In another operation Edafe said that operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU) Sector III Ubuluku arrested a 62-year-old man Richard Nmorsi at Ekuku-Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area on October 21.
He said a search of his residence conducted with a duly obtained warrant led to the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrelled firearm 24 live cartridges and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
Edafe stated: ‘Two days later the operatives arrested another suspect 56-year-old Amechi Osemeke at Ekuku-Agbor.
‘A search of his residence also conducted with a warrant led to the recovery of a serviceable double-barrelled firearm and one live cartridge.
‘Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm.’
Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police.