What began as a routine school run turned into every parent’s nightmare after a commercial tricycle operator, also known as a Keke rider, allegedly kidnapped a three-year-old girl entrusted to his care and demanded ₦500,000 ransom from her family in Delta State.
The suspect, identified as Kelvin Ogaga, was arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command’s Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS), Sector 2, Ughelli, following a coordinated intelligence-led operation that also led to the rescue of the child.
Police sources disclosed that the suspect had been responsible for conveying the little girl to school daily before allegedly abducting her and holding her hostage. The incident reportedly threw the family into panic as the suspect allegedly contacted them and demanded a ransom of ₦500,000 for the child’s release.
Fearing for the safety of their daughter, the family reportedly negotiated with the suspect and eventually paid the ransom to secure the child’s freedom.
However, acting on credible technical intelligence, police operatives tracked the suspect to his hideout in Ughelli, where he was arrested.
Recovered from the suspect were ₦127,000 believed to be part of the ransom money, valuables allegedly purchased with proceeds of the crime, and the motorcycle allegedly used in carrying out the operation.
The child has since been rescued and reunited with her family, while the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Department of Operations’ Buffalo Team recovered a Beretta pistol during a routine stop-and-search patrol along the Power Line axis by Bonsaac.
According to the police, officers noticed a suspicious man carrying a black bag. Upon sighting the patrol team, the suspect fled, abandoning the bag in the process.
A search of the bag led to the recovery of one Beretta pistol and an iPhone. Police authorities said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and uncover the circumstances surrounding the firearm recovery.
Similarly, operatives of the Ozoro Division arrested a suspected cultist identified as Michael Monday during a township patrol along Omovutotu Street in Ozoro.
The suspect allegedly attempted to flee upon sighting the police patrol team but was apprehended after a chase. A search conducted on a black handbag in his possession led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size single-barrelled gun and one live cartridge.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly belongs to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, popularly known as “Aro Bagger.”
Reacting to the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the officers for their swift response and professionalism.
The police commissioner reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping, cultism, and violent crimes across the state, while also emphasizing the importance of stop-and-search operations in proactive policing.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities within their communities to security agencies.
