Police kill 130 suspected kidnappers, arrest 625 robbers

[Mirror]

The Delta State police command yesterday said it has killed over 130 suspected kidnappers in the state in the past one year.

Also, the command said it has lost 12 policemen in different encounters with gunwielding kidnappers while no fewer than 625 suspected armed bandits and kidnappers have been arrested by the command during the period under review.

Similarly, the command revealed that eight buildings identified as the operational bases of the kidnappers were demolished in different parts of the state during the period.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Adaba, made these revelations in a telephone interview with National Mirror yesterday.

Adaba told National Mirror that 130 suspected kidnappers and 12 policemen died during intensive gun battle between the hoodlums and the security agents in some parts of the state.

The police commissioner, who commended the state government for its tremendous support for the command to rid the state of criminals, told National Mirror that 281 assorted rifles were recovered from criminals in the state during the same period.

Adaba said two buildings used by the kidnappers to perpetuate their nefarious acts were demolished in Kokori community, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state while two others were bought down in Ozoro, the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.

He said a retired Major- General, who was abducted in Ughelli, the headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, was held in one of the demolished buildings in Ozoro.

Besides, he added that four other buildings used as hideouts by criminals were demolished at Warri, Orogun, Obuluku and Onicha- Olona areas of the state.

Adaba, who said he had devised strategies to make the state unsafe for criminals, added that the command was targeting two other buildings to be demolished at undisclosed areas of the state.

His words: "We must thank the Delta State government for standing solidly behind the command; otherwise we won't have been able to kill 130 suspected kidnappers during exchange of gun fires with our men, who invaded their dens to free their victims in the past one year and three months. But I must add that 12 personnel were also killed by the hoodlums during the period.

"Not only that, the command arrested 625 kidnappers and armed robbers as well as recovered 281 assorted rifles during the period. We have also demolished eight buildings and set to bring down two others in different parts of the state for serving as operational bases of kidnappers," the police commissioner added.

Just on Tuesday, Adaba said four persons, whom he gave their names as Emeka Patrick, Uchenna Okara, Anthorny Elegoregwu and Chukwu Ebuka, were arrested in Asaba, the state capital, for alleged armed robbery and kidnapping. He said the suspects were arrested following a tip off by the public.

National Mirror