metro

Female pastor, two others nabbed for kidnapping, collecting N5.5m ransom

Female pastor, two others nabbed for kidnapping, collecting N5.5m ransom

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested three suspects for kidnapping a woman in Obinoba community of Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest came after the kidnappers had collected N2 million ransom and jewelries worth N3.5 million as ransom.

Those arrested are a self acclaimed pastor and wife to the leader of the gang, Franca Okuzu; Kabi Kester, 43; and Henry Owojero, 42.

Celestine Okuzor Nova, the owner of the house in which the victim was held captive for six days, is now at large.

Other suspects at large are Uche (surname unknown), Chinedu Etudo and Nweke (surname unknown).

READ ALSO:

The spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, confirmed the development on Sunday.

Edafe said in a statement that the woman and her children were on the way back from their shop at about 10:30pm on July 19 when three men armed with guns accosted them at the entrance of their house in Obinoba and took her away.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police said: “On 26/7/2023, the kidnappers released the victim after collecting a ransom of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) and other jewelleries worth about Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N3,500,000).

“Armed with relevant information, the command embarked on an intelligence-led investigation which paid off when on 4/8/2023, the operatives arrested one Kabi Kester ‘m’ aged 43 years.

“Suspect when interrogated, confessed to being a member of the gang that kidnapped the woman.”

Edafe said Kester’s confession led to the arrest of two other suspects: Henry Owojero and Franca Okuzor, adding that they all confessed to their involvement in the crime and went further to name four others: Celestine Okuzor Nova, Uche (surname unknown), Chinedu Etudo, and Nweke (surname unknown) as members of the gang.

Female pastor, two others nabbed for kidnapping, collecting N5.5m ransom

Trends Admin

Recent Posts

Reps pass bill to strip Vice President, governors, deputies of immunity

Reps pass bill to strip Vice President, governors, deputies of immunity The House of Representatives…

14 hours ago

Businessman collapses in court during trial over $578,000 cash seizure

Businessman collapses in court during trial over $578,000 cash seizure A businessman, Okorie Sunday, who…

14 hours ago

Fire guts Onitsha market, many shops, goods destroyed

Fire guts Onitsha market, many shops, goods destroyed A night fire at the popular Iweka Road,…

14 hours ago

Security forces disperse rioters on Abuja expressway

Security forces disperse rioters on Abuja expressway Security forces fired tear gas and gunshots on…

14 hours ago

Bills to create 4 new states scale second reading at House of Reps

Bills to create 4 new states scale second reading at House of Reps The House of Representatives…

14 hours ago

Tinubu signs South-West, South-South dev commission bills into law

Tinubu signs South-West, South-South dev commission bills into law President Bola Tinubu has signed the south-west and…

15 hours ago