Army arrests 30 suspected kidnappers, cultists

The 4 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Benin, has arrested 30 persons suspected to be kidnappers, cultists and drug addicts in Edo and Delta states. The army said it has also destroyed illegal refineries and petroleum products suspected to be illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Automated Gas Oil (AGO) in the areas. […]

The 4 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Benin, has arrested 30 persons suspected to be kidnappers, cultists and drug addicts in Edo and Delta states.

The army said it has also destroyed illegal refineries and petroleum products suspected to be illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Automated Gas Oil (AGO) in the areas.

The brigade’s spokesperson, Captain Mohammed Maidawa, who disclosed this in a statement in Benin at the weekend, said the suspects were arrested at various locations in October over alleged kidnapping, cultism among others by troops of Operation Crocodile Smile II of the 4 Brigade.

He said on October 22, troops  following a tip off, arrested one  Emomotimi Thomas (30), Mebi Blas’s (40) and Smart Yebu (42)  at MT Palace Hotel, off Airport Road, Warri, while holding a secret meeting preparatory to carrying out kidnapping operations in the area.

Maidawa said, “the troops of 4 Brigade also arrested 24 suspected cultists and drug addicts at Hill Top joint, along Airport road Benin, following reports that they were gathering there before carrying out nefarious activities.”

He added that the suspects, including four females were apprehended in possession of various kinds of drugs. 

Maidawa further disclosed that the army also arrested three suspected cultists who have been terrorising Boboluku community in Ethiope Local Government Area of Delta State. 

He said the suspects have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

In a related development, Maidawa said Operation Crocodile Smile II also destroyed a total of 103 dug out pits used as storage facilities as well as several metallic storage tanks as part of efforts to clear the area of militants, illegal refineries and bunkering activities in the area.

“The troops also destroyed 170,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 55,000 litres of illegally refined products suspected to be DPK and AGO at illegal refining sites at Lapase and Aziza respectively in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State,” he added.