A self-proclaimed Pastor, Franca Okuzor, has been arrested over an alleged kidnapping incident in Delta State.
The female cleric was apprehended alongside six other suspects named in the case.
Confirming their arrest in a statement issued on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said a case of kidnapping was reported at Obiaruku Police station on July 19, 2023, by a distress caller (name withheld).
According to him, the complainer stated that while on their way back from their shop at about 2030 hours of the same date, three masked men armed with guns accosted them at the entrance of their house at Obinoba in Nkwani LGA and kidnapped the mother.
“Sequel to this complaint, the Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, detailed the DPO Obiaruku Police station to work in synergy with the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad, SAKCCS, to immediately launch a manhunt for the hoodlums and rescue the kidnapped victim.
“On 26/7/2023, the kidnappers released the victim after collecting a ransom of N2 million and other jewellery worth about N3.5 million. 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, aged 43 years,” Edafe noted.
He explained further that the suspect, when interrogated, confessed to being a member of the gang that kidnapped the woman (name withheld).
His confession reportedly led to the arrest of two other suspects, namely Henry Owojero, 42 years, and Franca Okuzor, a self-acclaimed pastor and wife to the leader of the gang, named Celestine Nova (at large) in whose house the victim was held captive for six days.
The police statement added: “They all confessed to their involvement in the kidnapped and named four others, Celestine Nova, Uche (surname unknown), Chinedu Etudo and Nweke (surname unknown), as members of the gang. An intensive manhunt for the other gang members is ongoing.
“Also, on 3/8/2023 at 1600hours, Police operatives attached to Dragon Patrol while on visibility and confidence-building patrol along Benin/Asaba Expressway at Issele-uku, intercepted a commercial Sienna vehicle and subjected the passengers and their bags to a search.
“During the search, 250 rounds of live cartridges concealed in a bag were recovered. The owner of the bag, Identified as Omoruyi Osemudiamen ‘m’, age 46yrs, was arrested and taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing.
“In another development, acting on a tip-off, on 3/8/2023, a combined team of Buffalo and Eagle-Net Special Squad of the command stormed summit road in Asaba and arrested one James Moro ‘m’ aged 23yrs, and a locally fabricated pump action gun was recovered from him.
“Investigation later revealed that the suspect used the gun to rob innocent persons at night along that axis. The investigation is ongoing,” Edafe added.
