The Delta State Police Command says it has foiled a planned abduction targeting high-profile individuals in the towns of Sapele and Oghara.
In a statement on Thursday, police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe said officers carried out intelligence-led raids that uncovered a kidnapping syndicate and their alleged spiritual backers.
Among those arrested was 35-year-old herbalist Peter Benson, accused of preparing ritual protections for a gang led by Owei Abebo, also known as “Adusa”. His interrogation led to the arrest of another alleged spiritualist, 63-year-old Joseph Saniyo, in Edo State. Police say Saniyo was found with three live tortoises and other fetish items believed to be used in fortification rituals.
The gang’s leader, Abebo, 42, was later captured in Oghara alongside two associates, Ebi Maye, 41, and Happy Obegha, 39. Police recovered 247 rounds of live ammunition for a submachine gun from their hideouts.
The command said the arrests thwarted coordinated kidnappings planned by the syndicate.
In a separate raid on 21 July, He added that police working with the Nigerian Army stormed a site in Post Housing Estate, Effurun, where internet fraud and suspected terrorism financing activities were allegedly taking place.
A total of 184 suspects were detained, and officers recovered 273 laptops, 97 smartphones, an iPad, a tablet, nine laptop chargers and two Wi-Fi routers.
All suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, the statement conclude.
