Metro
Police Arrest Female Pastor, 2 Others For Kidnapping, Collecting N5m Ransom In Delta

Three suspects have been arrested by the police in Delta state for kidnapping a woman (name withheld) in Obinoba community in Ukwuani local government of the state after they had collected the sum of N2 million ransom and jewelries worth N3m to set her free.
Those arrested are a self acclaimed pastor and wife to the leader of the gang, Franca Okuzu while the man Celestine Okuzor Nova in whose house the victim was held captive for six days is now at large.
Others are 43 year old Kabi Kester and Henry Owojero aged 42 years while two other suspects , Uche (surname unknown), Chinedu Etudo, and Nweke (surname unknown) are also on the run.
READ ALSO: How Man Helped Police Apprehend Robbery Suspects
According to a statement by the state police public relations officer DSP Bright Edafe on Sunday, the woman and her children were on the way back from their shop at about 10.30pm of July 19, when three men armed with guns accosted them at the entrance of their house in Obinoba and took her away.
“On 26/7/2023, the kidnappers released the victim after collecting a ransom of Two Million Naira (#2,000,000) and other jewelleries worth about Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#3,500,000). Armed with relevant information, the command embarked on an intelligence-led investigation which paid off when on 4/8/2023, the operatives arrested one Kabi Kester ‘m’ aged 43yrs.
“Suspect when interrogated, confessed to being a member of the gang that kidnapped the woman”.
Edafe said Kester’s confession led to the arrest of two other suspects Henry Owojero and Franca Okuzor adding that they all confessed to their involvement in the crime and went further to name four others Celestine Okuzor Nova, Uche (surname unknown), Chinedu Etudo, and Nweke (surname unknown) as members of the gang.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest Female Drug Lord In Kano
Meanwhile, the statement added that police operatives while on visibility and confidence-building patrol along Benin/Asaba Expressway at Issele-uku, intercepted a commercial Sienna vehicle and subjected the passengers and their bags to a search.
“During the search, two hundred and fifty rounds of live cartridges concealed in a bag were recovered. The owner of the bag Identified as Omoruyi Osemudiamen, a 46 year old man was arrested and taken into custody.
The state commissioner of police, Wale Abass in his reaction called on members of the public not to relent when they face any security challenges urging all to trust and report cases of kidnapping and other related issues to the Command and trust that the culprits will be arrested and prosecuted.
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Metro
Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm
The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.
Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.
The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.
Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.
READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
He said, “Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.
“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
Metro
Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.
The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.
Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.
READ ALSO:Gunmen Abduct 60-year-old Trader In Oyo
Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.
Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.
Metro
Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.
READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South
In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.
Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.
The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.
Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”
According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.
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