By Miller Kesiena
Police: Some Delta Residents Involved in Kidnappings
The Delta State Police Command has raised fresh concerns over the role of some residents in aiding kidnapping gangs across the state.
Commissioner of Police Abaniwonda Olufemi, speaking at the Command Headquarters in Asaba on Tuesday, said recent investigations revealed that certain community members have been working with criminal groups to plan and execute abductions.
According to him, the command recorded 211 arrests in July through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with the military. One of the major breakthroughs came on July 30, when the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, supported by troops from the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, stormed the Ogwashi-Ukwu forest and rescued two kidnapped students.
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The operation led to the death of two suspects during a gun battle, and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, live ammunition, and more than ₦3 million believed to be ransom money.
However, in another operation on July 19, police apprehended a 35-year-old herbalist, Peter Benson, alleged to be preparing ritual protection for a gang targeting high-profile victims in Sapele and Oghara.
CP Olufemi described the trend as disturbing, warning that the threat now comes not only from armed gangs but also from people within the very communities under attack.
