Kidnapping: How dead suspect built 15-room duplex in Delta –Police
From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The police in Delta State have uncovered a 15-room duplex allegedly built with the proceeds of kidnapping by a suspect who was killed during a shootout with operatives.
The house is said to be located in Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area, where the deceased was said to be posing as a ‘Yahoo boy’, ostensibly to deceive members of the community about his real source of income.
The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the development yesterday, said the suspect, alongside another, was killed in Abraka, where his gang members engaged operatives in exchange of fire.
Edafe, in a statement, said operatives went back to the scene of the gun duel to comb the surrounding bushes, where some of the suspects escaped into, and recovered two AK-47 magazines, 52 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
He also confirmed the arrest of one Phillip Ekugbe and one Onome Erikefe (both of Ekpan community in Effurun), who specialised in snatching vehicles from Warri and environs, took them to Ughelli where they disassembled and sold the vehicles in parts. Edafe said 74 vehicle tyres, 16 vehicle engines, eight gear boxes, 15 motor batteries, two motorcycle engines and seven suspected stolen vehicles were recovered.
“The vehicles include one Toyota Corolla with registration number AJ 638 EFR; Toyota Carina with registration number WW 748 SL; Toyota Corolla with registration number DU 60 LSR; Toyota Corolla with registration number WWR 799 AE; Toyota Corolla with registration number KSF 758 DC; and one unregistered Nissan car. Suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing,” he added.
He also disclosed that the command arrested a car wash attendant in Asaba, one Emmanuel Chidera, who allegedly made away with a customer’s Mercedes Benz GLK 350. Edafe said on receiving the complaint, detectives embarked on an intelligence led investigation and arrested the 22-year-old suspect around the Magistrates’ Court area in Asaba.
“During the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed that he had taken the car to Benin City in Edo State, where he intended to sell it. The vehicle has been recovered, and effort to arrest his accomplices is ongoing,” he stated.
