In a statement released on Friday, Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, announced the arrest of ten individuals on suspicion of engaging in kidnapping and cult activities. These arrests were made during multiple military operations in Edo and Bayelsa states.
The suspects were apprehended as a result of a raid on their hideouts in the Oloibiri oil field situated in the Otuabagi community within the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The operations also yielded the recovery of various items, including firearms, live cartridges, and mobile phones, among others.
“Troops from the 16 Brigade engaged in Exercise STILL WATERS III successfully conducted a raid operation on a suspected camp of cultists within the Oloibiri oil field, located in the Otuabagi community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. During these operations, eight members of the cultist group were apprehended in their concealed location.”
“The troops also recovered from the cultists, one Baretta pistol, one locally made double barrel pistol, 5 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 3 live cartridges, one Baofeng communication radio, one binocular, 2 mobile phones, and a substance suspected to be cannabis.”
He disclosed further that following a distress call from a citizen about a suspected case of kidnapping in Obagie community, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, the 4 Brigade troops on Exercise STILL WATERS III operations, swung into action and rescued one victim of kidnapping while two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested with other exhibits.
“Troops of 4 Brigade on Exercise STILL WATERS III on 18 October 2023 responded to a distress call by a law-abiding citizen, who reported a kidnap incident at Obagie community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The troops promptly swung into action and rescued one Miss Blessing Uwenze who was kidnapped by a criminal gang. Two members of the kidnap gang were arrested and taken into custody for further investigation. Items recovered from the suspects include 2 Semi Automatic Pump Action guns, 4 Live Cartridges, one mobile phone, and fetish items.”
Nwachukwu said the suspects are undergoing interrogation while the kidnap victim has been reunited with her family.
“The suspects are currently under custody undergoing further interrogation and the victim, Blessing Uwenze has since been reunited with her family,” he disclosed.
