The Delta State Police Command has arrested seven suspected kidnappers in Ubeji Community, located in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
The State Police Command’s Spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the development to journalists on Friday in Warri, adding that three male victims were successfully rescued from the suspects’ custody.
According to Edafe, the suspects were apprehended on Thursday by operatives from the Ekpan Division in Uvwie Local Government Area, following credible intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Labe Joseph.
He explained that the DPO had received a distress call reporting a kidnapping incident at Ubeji Community, specifically behind the Ubeji Gas Plant.
“Acting on the report, the DPO deployed a team of detectives and patrol operatives to the scene.
“On sighting the police teams, the suspected kidnappers fled into an abandoned poultry within the same community.
“The police team swiftly cordoned off the area, leading to the successful arrest of the seven suspects,” he said.
Edafe noted that the rescued victims had been safely reunited with their families.
He further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the victims were kidnapped from a dredging site at Ubeji and taken across the river.
The suspects reportedly contacted the victims’ families soon after, threatening to kill the abductees if their demands were not met.
Edafe added that efforts were ongoing to track down the other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.
