By Wealth Oghenemaro
The Delta State Police Command has rescued a five-month-old baby stolen in February and recovered over N4 million in ransom from suspected kidnappers across the state.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, disclosed this during a press briefing in Asaba on Thursday, highlighting major achievements from recent security operations.
The baby was reportedly stolen by one Joy Temitope Oyetimi, 49, who allegedly drugged the child’s mother with juice during a business trip from Koko to Warri. After weeks of investigation by the Ekpan Police Division, the suspect was arrested, and the baby, now five months old, was reunited with his parents in good health.
In separate operations, police arrested four suspects along the Kwale/Ozoro expressway with N3.1 million, identified as part of a N4 million ransom collected after kidnapping a woman in Ughelli. The victim confirmed the identities of the suspects, while efforts continue to arrest the remaining gang member.
Another kidnap suspect, Lawal Tasiu, was apprehended in Asaba with N900,000 cash, also identified as ransom. A follow-up operation at Issele-Azagba led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, magazines, and 87 rounds of live ammunition. Similarly, two suspects were arrested in Ore, Ondo State, with arms recovered from a forest hideout.
CP Abaniwonda reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling violent crime through proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and community support. He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement in the fight against crime.
