Delta: Police Nab Kidnappers Into Emptying Of Victims’ Bank Account Through Transfer

…Arrest POS Operator

By Daniel Dafe

Suspected kidnappers who specialise in abducting people and emptying their bank accounts have been arrested in Delta State.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, DSP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this, added that the arrest followed a similar case of kidnapping people and emptying their bank account that happened on the 15th of May, 2023.

“A victim (name withheld) of kidnapping/armed robbery reported at Ovwian Aladja Police station that he was intercepted by some suspected kidnappers who abducted him and his wife and put them in the trunk of their car, drove them to an unknown destination, where they emptied his bank account through bank transfer before releasing them.”

According to the statement, “the DPO discovered that a similar case was also reported on the 7th of April, 2023 by another victim, and coincidentally, the modus operandi of the suspects are the same.”

He continued: “The DPO, Ovwian Aladja division, CSP Aliyu Shaba, detailed detectives to carry out a discreet and intelligence led investigation and ensure that these suspects are arrested and brought to book.

“On 20/5/2023, following a series of intelligence led investigations, the detectives arrested a POS operator (name withheld) whose account these hoodlums always transfer money from their victims account. The POS operator who claimed ignorance of the antecedents of these suspects cooperated and availed the police with credible information that led to the arrest of the gang leader, named Adim Lucky Onweiyali ‘m’ age 33yrs on 1st June 2023.”

The police said that “the suspect led the police to the houses of other gang members and also to the house of one Akporido Stanley ‘m’ age 56yrs who hides the weapon for them. One locally made gun, and three live cartridges were recovered. Suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing.”

In another development, on Saturday, police operatives attached to Ekpan Police station arrested three suspected armed robbers.

DSP Edafe said the police officers were on stop and search duty when they intercepted a tricycle carrying four occupants.

“One of the passengers jumped and escaped. When the tricycle was searched, one locally made cut-to-size gun and four live cartridges were recovered. His other two accomplices, namely Ogheneovo Abdnego ‘m’ age 17yrs, Chidi Okpanachi ‘m’ aged 31 years, were arrested, though they claimed the gun belong to their friend who escaped. Investigation is ongoing,” he added.