The Police in Delta State have arrested a self-acclaimed female pastor and two others for allegedly kidnapping a woman at Obinoba in Nkwani Local Government area of the State and collecting a ransom of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) for her release.
The suspects are 43-year-old Kabi Kester, 42-year-old Henry Owojero, and Franca Okuzor, the self-acclaimed pastor and wife to the leader of the gang named Celestine Okuzor Nova, who is still at large.
The Police launched a manhunt for the suspects after receiving a distress call of a kidnapping incident on July 19, 2023.
The kidnappers eventually released the victim on July 26, after collecting a ransom of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) and other jewelry worth about Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,500,000).
The effort of the Operatives paid off when they arrested Kabi Kester, on August 8, 2023. His confession led to the arrest of two other suspects
The State Police Spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, said all confessed to their involvement in the abduction and named four others Celestine Okuzor Nova, Uche (surname unknown), Chinedu Etudo, and Nweke (surname unknown) as members of the gang.
An intensive manhunt for the other gang members is ongoing.
Similarly, Police operatives attached to Dragon Patrol while on visibility and confidence-building patrol along Benin/Asaba Expressway at Issele-uku on August 3, intercepted a commercial Sienna vehicle and subjected the passengers and their bags to a search.
During the search, two hundred and fifty (250) rounds of live cartridges concealed in a bag were recovered from a 46-year-old man, Omoruyi Osemudiamen.
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