The Police Command in Delta State has apprehended three kidnap suspects and neutralised one in the state.
Spokesman of the Command, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday in Warri, also said one AK-49 rifle was recovered from the suspects.
Edafe said the suspects were arrested at different locations between Monday and Friday by the police operatives deployed to Ughelli on special assignment.
While noting that the police team was led by ASP Julius Robinson, Edafe added that some hoodlums were also nabbed at different locations in the state.
He said the Command achieved the feat, “acting on credible intelligence relating to the kidnapping of a male victim on May 17, 2024 at his residence in Adjakota, Ughelli South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, and the victim was later murdered by the kidnappers.
“The operatives, who were on a special assignment, led by ASP Robinson cracked down on the deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for the act.
“On July 1, 2024, the police team arrested one of the suspects in Oghara, Ethiope West LGA.
“Similarly, on July 4, 2024, the suspect led operatives to the arrest of two other members of the gang in Agwara and Agbarho Communities in Ughelli South and Ughelli North respectively”, he said.
Edafe said acting on the confession made by the suspects, the police operatives on Friday stormed the Oviri-Ogor bush where they encountered an attack from other gang members.
He said during the ensuing gun duel, one of the hoodlums hiding in the bush sustained gunshot injuries.
The police spokesman said the injured suspect was taken to the hospital and later died while receiving treatment.
Edafe said one AK-49 rifle was recovered in the suspects’ hideout, adding that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

A group, the Bayelsa Elders Council, has urged the State Government to make massive investments in agricultural development and technical education to recalibrate the economy of the state towards self-sufficiency.
The elders council said the only way to overcome the looming food crisis is for government to be directly involved in crop, fish, livestock and other areas of agricultural production as the subsisting peasant farming could no longer meet the food needs of the people.
The Tide learnt that this was the position of the Elders Council at its third quarter meeting of 2024, which held at the Niger Delta Wetlands Centre, Ekeki, Yenagoa, the state capital, last Thursday.
In his remarks, Chairman of Council and former Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), lamented the ever rising level of food prices in the state due to neglect of the agricultural sector and the attendant high dependence on external supply of foodstuffs.
He expressed worry over youths, who constitute the most productive demography in society, shying away from agriculture which has the potential to meet their financial and feeding needs.
The Chairman explained that the meeting was to consider the reports of four adhoc committees on Agro-allied Matters, Security, National Affairs as well as Science and Technology.
He underscored the need for government to thoroughly appraise the reports when finally submitted to it, and emphasised the urgency for the government and well-to-do people of Bayelsa to go into full-scale mechanised farming to boost food production.
Responding, Governor Douye Diri said his second-term administration would give the desired attention to agriculture to fight against the high prices of foodstuff and enable government to expand its revenue base.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor promised to adopt a multi-dimensional approach in tackling the problems facing food and fish production in the state.
According to him, the establishment of the Ministry of Blue Economy in the state speaks volumes of his administration’s readiness to harness the state’s maritime resources for job and wealth creation.
The Governor expressed optimism that the State Government would succeed in its ongoing effort in promoting vocational education and self reliance, particularly among the youths of the state.
To achieve this laudable goal, he said government had already built some vocational schools across the state with Yenagoa, the state capital, having two pilot technical schools.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive, who lamented that the average Bayelsan youth had an entitlement mentality without work, noted that for the state to measure up with its peers, such youths must change their negative disposition and embrace self reliance.
He thanked the Bayelsa Elders Council for playing its advisory role in the governance of the state, adding that the doors of the prosperity administration were always open to the Council for advice and collaboration towards developing the new Bayelsa.
Highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of the adhoc committee reports.
Professor Francis Sikoki presented the report of the Agro-allied Committee; Science and Technology Committee by Engineer Charles Ambaiowei; Sub- national Affairs by Professor Tarila Tebepah, while that of Security was presented by the chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Edo State Government last Saturday warned against unlawful gathering by members of cult groups across the state in the guise of celebrating their anniversary on July 7.
The warning was conveyed in a statement in Benin by the State Commissioner for Communications, Chris Nehikhare.
It stated that the State Government had put the Police on alert to arrest and prosecute any group who disregarded the state anti-cultism law.
“As part of the renewed effort to tackle cultism, the state government has asked youths in the state to avoid any unlawful gathering on July 7, 2024 in the guise of celebrating the anniversary of any cult group.
“The State Government has been reliably informed by the relevant security agencies that Aiye (Black Axe) is celebrating its anniversary on the 7th July 2024, with a possibility of rivalry and attack on other cult groups before, during and after the celebration.
“The State Government wants to use this opportunity to remind cult groups and their members of the state anti-cultism law which prohibits their activities.
“Parents and guardians should also warn their wards to avoid any gathering of cult groups.
“Government has placed the Police and other security agencies in the State to be on the watch out to arrest and prosecute any group that violates the State’s anti-cultism law”, Nehikhare said.
He urged members of the public to go about their lawful activities as the security agencies were on alert to secure lives and property across the state.