The Delta State Police Command has apprehended five suspects accused of kidnapping a 70-year-old woman and collecting a ransom of N7.9 million for her release.

According to a statement released by SP Bright Edafe, the command’s spokesperson, the suspects were arrested by a crack squad attached to the Ughelli Area Command. Acting on a tip-off, the team raided a brothel in Ewu town, Ughelli South Local Government Area, where the suspects were hiding.

The suspects, identified as Dominic Uweru (48), Isaac Oghenerukevwe (34), Oviri Godstime (25), Junior Sunday, and Efedeki Adjovo, have reportedly confessed to various armed robbery and kidnapping operations in Ughelli and surrounding areas, including the abduction of the elderly woman on September 8, 2024.

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The police also recovered significant evidence from the suspects, including a single-barrel gun, three locally-made cut-to-size guns, N450,000 in cash, a Moniepoint POS machine, an OPAY POS machine, and several wraps of suspected Indian hemp.

SP Bright Edafe confirmed that the victim was released after the suspects collected the N7.9 million ransom on September 10, 2024. The suspects are currently in police custody, and an investigation is underway.

This successful operation marks another step in the Delta State Police’s efforts to curb the rising trend of kidnapping and armed robbery in the region.