Authorities apprehend individual suspected of conspiring to abduct clergy member and former school administrator in Delta region

Operatives from the Delta State Police Command successfully thwarted a kidnapping plot targeting a pastor and a retired school principal in Ughelli, resulting in the arrest of a suspect linked to the planned abduction.

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The police also seized a single-barrel gun and two live cartridges during the operation, further bolstering their case against the would-be kidnappers.

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According to the command's spokesman, Bright Edafe, the arrest was made possible by credible intelligence received by operatives of the 'A' Division in Ughelli, which led them to the suspect.

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The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Jeremiah Kwane, allegedly attempted to recruit another individual into a kidnapping syndicate to carry out the planned abduction, Edafe disclosed in a statement on Wednesday.

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On July 31, 2026, operatives of 'A' Division, Ughelli, acting on the intelligence, foiled the planned kidnapping after learning that Jeremiah Kwane had attempted to recruit someone into a kidnapping syndicate to abduct a pastor and a retired school principal.

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The police immediately arrested the suspect at his workplace in Ughelli, and a subsequent search led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun and two live cartridges, with the suspect now assisting the police with further investigation.

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Commissioner of Police CP Yemi Oyeniyi reaffirmed the command's commitment to tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes, urging residents to support the police by providing timely and credible information.

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CP Yemi Oyeniyi's plea for public support comes as the police continue to work towards improving security across the state, with recent successes including the arrest of four suspected kidnappers and armed robbers in separate operations.

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PUNCH Metro reported on June 26 that the Delta State Police Command had arrested the four suspects, recovering firearms and other exhibits in the process, with the police receiving a report on June 23 concerning the arrest of two suspects linked to an attempted robbery at about 3:00pm.