The Delta State Police Command said it has smashed a kidnapping gang behind a series of armed robberies, kidnappings, bank robberies and the murder of the son of the monarch in the state.
The spokesperson of the Command, Bright Edafe, made the revelation in a statement he issued to newsmen on Friday on the arrest.
He said one of the members of the kidnapping gang was neutralised during the gun battle and a gun was recovered.
Edafe explained that on September 27, 2024, at about 7pm, the police received intel that one of the dreaded kidnappers, Benson Oghenevwaire, 34, terrorising UDU Local Government Area, Warri and environs had been sighted.
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According to Edafe, this aforementioned gang was part of the syndicate responsible for a series of robbing and kidnapping operations within the UDU axis.
Some of their operations include a robbery operation at Wetland Microfinance Bank in Udu LGA on February 26, 2021 as well as the assassination of Prince Eric Takerere, who was the son of Urhowhrun monarch.
The Prince was said to have been killed alongside two police escorts on April 3, 2021 at Efurrun-Sapele Road.
Edafe said: “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Owvain Aldaja Division, a Chief Superintendent of Police, Bulus Musa, led the surveillance team of the division and embarked on a sting operation at the hideout of the suspect Benson Oghenevwaire, 34, located at Orereokpe in Okpe LGA, where the suspect and his gang members engaged the Police in a fierce gun duel.
“During the gun duel, the police overpowered the suspects, some of them escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries while the said Benson Oghenevwaire was arrested with severe gunshot injuries.
“He was taken to Warri Central Hospital where he died while receiving treatment. During the operation, one English-made Beretta pistol and two rounds of live ammunition were recovered. A serious manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.”
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