A two-time former councillor, Ndubisi Okechhukwu, who represented Emu-Uno in the Kwale Local Government Area of Delta State, has been arrested by police operatives, following a foiled kidnapping attempt.This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe; a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Warri, on Sunday.The police spokesman noted that the councillor’s arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer, Abbi Division, Florence Onum, noting that “there was a plan to kidnap a prominent member of Abbi community.”“Acting on this intelligence, the DPO, Kwale, and operatives of the division, embarked on a discreet investigation, and on October 21, 2024, at about 1900hrs, one Hon. Ndubisi Okechhukwu, a two-times councillor in Emu-Uno, Kwale, was arrested,” the statement read partly.
On interrogation, the suspect was said to have confessed to the incident which he reportedly anchored on his “suspension from being a councillor.“He further stated that he wanted to kidnap the said woman so that the Local Government would pay the ransom since he knew the woman was close to the local government chairman.”Meanwhile, the suspect is in custody as investigation is ongoing on the matter.In a similar development, acting on credible intelligence gathered on the activities of a suspected kidnapper, one Philip Onoghosa, the gang leader of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising the Sapele-Warri Road, the operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team, on October 25, 2024, at about 1730hrs, went on the trail of the said suspect in Sapele town.According to the PPRO, the suspect who was at Amukpe Roundabout buying illicit drugs sighted the operatives and took to his heel, abandoning one Black Toyota Corolla with Registration Number SKL330AE.
Upon search of the vehicle, one Baretta pistol loaded with two live ammunition was recovered. The police noted that a manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.“Also, on October 22, 2024, at about 1700hrs, the Safer Highway Patrol Team deployed to Sapele, while conducting an intensive stop-and-search along the Mosogar Benin Road, flagged down a Toyota RAV4 SUV, black with Reg. No. KUJ-311-MB.“The driver, before getting to the checkpoint, manoeuvred the vehicle and sped off while the police operatives immediately went after him. The suspect, on noticing that the policemen were closing in on him, abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush.“The vehicle was recovered and upon search of the vehicle, the vehicle particulars bearing the name and contact of the owner were found.
The owner who was immediately contacted stated that the vehicle was stolen from his compound in Kogi State. Two metal master keys and 14 different Toyota vehicle keys were recovered,” the statement noted, adding that investigations have been launched into the matter.In the meantime, the state Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has reiterated “the command’s commitment to ensure that crime in the state is reduced so that residents and Deltans can sleep with their eyes closed.”The CP further stated that “due to the Ember months period, there may be a likely increase in crime. Hence, policemen have been deployed around the 25 local government areas and embarked on intensive visibility patrol, while constant raiding of criminal hideouts and black spots will be intensified.”