17th May, 2013
Operatives of the Delta State Special Security Patrol code-named Dragon 30, have smashed a five-man gang of armed robbers/kidnappers suspected to be responsible for recent cases of kidnapping in Warri, Ughelli and neighbouring villages.
The security operatives made the arrest while on patrol along Warri/Sapele road.
They stopped two men on a motorcycle for a search but, rather than surrendering themselves for search by the soldiers, the two men jumped down from the motorcycle and took to their heels.
Sequel to that, the soldiers gave them a hot pursuit which led to the arrest of the two men, namely, Prince Maku and Goodluck Igho Oghre.
A search on the two suspects led to the recovery of the sum of N920, 000. Their confession led to the arrest of three other members of the gang, Timothy Akpojure, Moses Uba and Ogotua Nanapre Sunny.
Items also recovered from them include two AK47 rifles and four magazines loaded with 35 rounds of live ammunition. They were recovered from the house of Moses Uba.
The suspects allegedly confessed to several cases of armed robbery/kidnapping in Warri, Ugheli and environs, with the recent being the kidnap of the proprietor of Daddy Bakeries located along Udu Road, Ovwian, Warri and another woman whom they allegedly kidnapped at Osubi, near Warri.
Investigation so far reveals that the money recovered from suspects is part of ransom collected from one of their victims.
—Jethro Ibileke/Warri