A 42-year-old suspected kidnapper Chiadiji Collins popularly known as Smooth on the police watchlist, has been arrested after operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team ( CP-SAT ) stormed his criminal hideout along Ibusa Road, near Asaba, Delta State.
Smooth, is alleged to be responsible for series of kidnapping activities within Ibusa /Ogwashi-Uku and Asaba axis.
He was arrested following police clampdown, acting on credible intelligence on the activities of some suspected kidnappers in Ogwashi-Uku, Ubulu-Uku and Issele -Uku, on July 27.
It was gathered that operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team ( CP-SAT ) led by ASP Julius Robinson, in a combined effort with operatives from the command’s X-Squad and Buffallo Patrol Teams of the command effected the arrest.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer( PPRO)SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this yesterday in a statement, said that upon interrogation of the suspect, he led operatives to his residence at Ewulu community, Aniocha South LG of the state, where a search warrant was executed during which one AK-47 rifle, 40 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered.
According to Edafe, preliminary investigation also led to the arrest of one Ezechie Andrew of the same community in whose possession two pump action and two live cartridges were recovered.
He disclosed that the suspects are gang members suspected to be involved in a series of kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku, Issele-Uku, Ubulu-Uku and other parts of the state.
“They are in custody and the investigation is ongoing.Equally, operatives of the Command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS), while acting on credible information, on July 30, stormed a criminal hideout at Big Gate, Campus 111, Delta State University, Abraka, where 21-year-old Benjamin Okwufulueze was arrested.
“The police also arrested 22-year-old Augustine Ifeanyi and Iruma Japheth,27, and recovered one fabricated beretta pistol with four live ammunition.
“Also recovered from the suspects were one black cap with Eiye inscription and one battle axe. Suspects confessed to being members of Eiye confraternity.”
Edafe said that the suspects are in custody and investigation was ongoing.
In his remarks, Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, urged parents to discourage their children from all forms of criminality and cult related activities and also advised members of the public to contact the police and report any suspicious persons or movements in their environment.
