We are responsible for most kidnaps in Oghara —kidnap suspect reveals

Oghara town in Ethiope West Local Government area of Delta state , is one of the three major clans of the Urhobo ethnic group. Aside benefiting from successive governments through the provision of social amenities such as stadium, teaching hospital,
tertiary institutions and other things that keep life going, eminent personalities who have at one time or the other occupied public offices also hail from the town. 

Sadly, the peace and tranquility witnessed in the bubbling town, is presently being truncated by activities of kidnappers. These kidnappers target persons who they adjudge to be rich. 

They trail their victims to convenient places where they are abducted and taken to their den. Thereafter, they contact their victim’s relatives , demanding for ransom for their release. Irked by this worrisome trend , the Inspector-General of Police , Mr Solomon Arase ordered that an end be put to the activities of these kidnappers.

Crime Guard however gathered that prior to the directive, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Baba, had set machinery in place to nip activities of these unscrupulous elements in the bud. 

This paid off Wednesday, following the arrest of a suspected member of the kidnap syndicate that has been on the command’s wanted list . Astonishingly, the 34-year-old suspect, Best Odeh in his confessional statement, revealed that members of his gang were responsible for series of abductions in Oghara community. He gave the identities one of their abducted victims simply as Candy, revealing that the sum of N500,000 was collected as ransom for his release.. Others according to him, were one Mrs Avi Omotie of Ovade village, Oghara and Mrs Rose Asuai. 

He said, “We kidnapped Mrs Omotie last year while Mrs Asuai who lives at Oghara junction was also kidnapped last year, precisely on October 8, 2016. Members of my gang are Alaba Gold, Godstime Ekwereme. They both live in Oghara village, while our leader is Onos Okerobo, he is from Otumara village in Oghara. Our targets are usually from Oghara and are usually those we know their financial status. 

I went into kidnapping because I had nothing doing, no hand- work , no job. I did not even go to school” he said without any sign of remorse. Confirming his arrest, spokes person for the Delta State Police Command, Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police DSP said” 

In the continuous manhunt for kidnappers terrorizing Oghara axis, detectives attached to Oghara division while acting on a tip off,arrested one Best Odeh of Otumara village. During interrogation, he confessed his membership of a notorious kidnap gang headed by a wanted kidnap kingpin, one Onos Okerobo of Otumara village, Oghara. Items recovered from him included an improvised single barrel cut to size gun. 

Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing while manhunt for other members of the gang continues.