The Delta State Police in the early hours of Saturday, rescued the kidnapped Urhobo Youth President General Mr. Anthony Ovie who was whisked over a week ago.
According a source close to the Police Command, on Friday 13th of May, Policemen from Abraka Division, Anti-Kidnapping Squad and some selected vigilante members while acting on police intelligence report from Abraka Division trailed and arrested one Paul Udi and one other suspect whose identity is yet to be ascertained at Eku town, who gave useful information that led to the rescue of the President General unhurt in a forest along Eku/Abraka road.
The President General who has been re-united with members of his family could not be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report.
It was also gathered that the Police have earlier arrested two other suspects in connection with crime who gave useful information that led to the arrest of the two prime suspects.
In a related development, due to complaints of incessant breaking and robbing of hostels, lock-up shops and markets from public spirited individuals, students unions/bodies, market men/women, concerned citizens of Abraka; the Police in Abraka have also arrested the Chairman of the vigilante group in that area Mr. Dele Oritsedare.
This arrest was as a result of proactive steps by the Police through intelligence gathering and useful information from some of the repentant members of the vigilante group who were identified as Ochuko Robberts and Arhiriere Onos.
According to our source who pleaded to be anonymious, the duo submitted themselves to the Police when the heat from intensive Police investigation become hot, saying that the arrested chairman has consistently been sending them (vigilante members) to break and rob hostels, lock-up shops and market as a means of compelling their victims to pay their vigilante levies.
The chairman who confessed to the crime has been transferred to DCIB at the State Headquarters in Asaba for further investigation and prosecution.
Meanwhile, an Okada rider, Mgbeonyebi Henry who claimed to be a vigilante was recently arrested with a stolen motor cycle has confessed to the crime.
Residents of Abraka, rejoiced over these development as they have suffered untold hardships and intimidation in the hands of these vigilante group.
While calling for the disbandment and re-organization of the group,they praised and congratulated the DPO of Abraka Division, CSP Ogbonna Okoronkwo and his men for the good job, saying that the remaining members of the vigilante group have now woken up from their slumber.
At the Divisional Headquarters in Abraka, the DPO declined comment on these rather he referred our reporter to the State Police Public Relation Officer who later confirmed the report in a telephone conversation.
It would be recall that Comrade Ovie Anthony Igho was abducted by unknown gun men at gun point at about 8.30pm Friday 6th, May 2016.
According to a report by the PRO of the body, Comrade Godstime Ohwo, the president was returning to his country home in Abraka after an emergency meeting at the Urhobo House in Okere, Warri, Delta State when the driver mistakenly ran into the net of the robbers at the sharp bend in between Eku and Oria Abraka.
He said the driver could not spot the illegal blockages on time, hence was not swift enough to manipulate it as the boys quickly rounded the vehicle up at gun point, robed four of them of all their belongings before taking the President away into the bush through a bush part besides Prof Igun’s house in between Eku and Oria Abraka.
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