By Barth Ndego
LAGOS NOVEMBER 9TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The Police in Delta State have arrested at different locations Vigilante Boss, one Anthony Oren, and 73 other suspected kidnappers, and armed robbers in the past one month of its operations.
Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, Police Commissioner in the state who disclosed this Tuesday to journalists while parading the suspects, said the police recovered six stolen vehicles and N1, 800, 000.00 under the period reviewed.
The Police Boss said that one Mrs. Osayande Judith of No. 30, Chris Mary Street Benin-city, Edo was kidnapped along Edjegba road Warri by unknown armed men, adding that the police while acting on available intelligence stormed Ejewu Community in Udu Local Government Area of the State where they arrested one Joshua Okoh alias “ONOS”.
The suspect, he said, confessed to the crime and following a thorough search of his house, the sum of N1, 800, 000.00 part of the over N3 million ransom collected before releasing the victim was recovered.
The Police Commissioner said that other items recovered were the victim’s Toyota Camry Car with Registration No: BEN 825JA, one automatic pump action gun, a double barrel gun, thirteen live cartridges, one Honda Accord with Registration No: DSZ 183DG belonging to the suspect, and believed to have been bought with the proceeds of kidnapping and other house hold equipment.
Also arrested in connection with the crime are; one Anthony Oren, the Vigilante Chairman of Arhakpo Community (alleged of concealing criminals), thank God Okpeperhie of Orhakpo Community, an errand boy to one of the gang members identified as Dennis (surname withheld) currently at large and Clement Efanyhobera of No. 19 New Street Orhakpo Community who allegedly aided the escape of the said Dennis.
Mr. Zanna Ibrahim said that as part of the Police untiring strategies to ensure that criminals, especially of heinous crimes, are eradicated, the command had rolled out the “Eagle Net” which will complement the efforts of the existing operational outfits in the state as there will be no hiding place for criminals.