A kidnapped victim has been rescued alive by men of the Delta State Police Command, while the suspected kidnapper was killed just as a pump action gun with six rounds of cartridges was recovered from the hoodlum.
It was gathered that the victim (name withheld) was kidnapped with his car at Ugborikoko, on the night of December 28, 2022, at about 10.15pm, while the kidnappers zoomed away with the victim’s car.
Acting on a tip-off that the kidnappers were heading toward Agbarho with the victim’s car, the Divisional Police Officer Agbarho Division deployed officers to the Warri-Ughelli Expressway to carry out intensive stop and search to rescue the victim and arrest of the suspects.
It was gathered that while the police were searching, they intercepted a Mercedez GLK SUV (registration number withheld) that matches the description of the victim’s vehicle.
The suspect, Oghenetega Ovwa, aged 25 years from Ugborikoko who was driving the vehicle, was instantly arrested. Upon searching the vehicle, the police recovered one pump action gun with six rounds of cartridges.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, stated that during the investigation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the kidnapping gang that earlier kidnapped the owner of the Mercedes car.
He then led the team to their hideout at Ugborikoko in Warri South Local Government Area where, on arrival, the gang members engaged the police in a gun duel.
However, the suspect was hit during the heavy gun duel, while other members of the gang escaped.
The victim was rescued unhurt and has been reunited with his family.
Our correspondent gathered that the suspect, who sustained serious gunshot injuries during the gun duel, was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
Meanwhile, a manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang is ongoing, according to the police spokesperson.