Metro

Delta Police Arrest 10 Kidnappers, Others

Published

3 years ago

May 17, 2023

The Delta State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected kidnappers just as it also foiled a tricycle robbers syndicate.

The operatives recovered from the suspected kidnappers a Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. WWR 353 LS, a locally made cut-to-size single barrel pistol as well as 11 rounds of live cartridges.

The PUNCH gathered that sequel to the rampant cases of reported armed robbery/kidnapping along Sapele-Warri road and its environs, which have created fear among road users.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, had on assumption of duty detailed an intelligence unit of the command, the CP-Decoy squad, to embark on a discreet and an intelligence-led operation.

The Commander Decoy Squad, ASP Julius Robinson, led operatives of the squad, relocated to Sapele on a covert operation and while acting on credible intelligence gathered within Sapele and environs arrested one Nyero Sunday (29), of Okwitolo community alongside eight others all in Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that all the suspects who were arrested through technical intelligence-led investigation have confessed to their involvements in numerous kidnapping, armed robbery operations, and also admitted to terrorising the Sapele-Warri road.

Confirming the incident, the police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, noted that further investigation also led to the arrest of one Umar Bello (33) from Sokoto State but residing in Warri, who usually buys the stolen phones and other valuables robbed from their victims.

A Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. WWR 353 LS, a locally made cut-to-size single barrel pistol as well as 11 rounds of live cartridges, were recovered from the syndicate.

The PPRO said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects.

“In another development, police operatives of ‘B’ division Warri, led by the DPO SP Bolarinwa Alabi were on visibility, confidence building patrol along Airport road, they sighted a tricycle with three male occupants, and in their usual way, flagged down the tricycle, but the rider on sighting the police manoeuvred in a bid to escape on May 15, 2023, at about 0015hrs.

“The operatives went after them until they eventually abandoned the tricycle and took to their heels.

“One of the suspects, named Nworie Emmanuel (20), was arrested and taken to the police station.

“During interrogation, the suspect stated that he is a member of a three-man gang of armed robbers who uses a tricycle to rob innocent people of their belongings along Airport Road Warri.

“He also confessed that they had earlier that night robbed two persons along Airport road, adding that the phone robbed was with Abdul, one of their fleeing gang members and that their modus operandi is to look out for their victims standing at a lonely road at night, and Abdul (currently at large) will jump down from the tricycle, use knife to threaten their victim and rob them of their phones and other valuables.

“Meanwhile, the tricycle together with the knife they use to scare their victims are in custody alongside the suspect while the police are making frantic effort to arrest the other fleeing members of the gang,” the statement read

Also, the command crack squad on May 16, 2023, raided a criminal blackspot located around Osuani in Patani LGA, and arrested one Priscillia Amor, female, aged 35 years.

They recovered 26 wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, 19 wraps of substance suspected to be Methamphetamine, eight packets of rizlas, some mobile phones and other exhibits from the female suspect.

The PPRO stated that an investigation is ongoing to arrest her other gang members.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

22 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.