Police arrest suspect in plot to kidnap Delta pastor, principal

Delta State Police have foiled an alleged plot to kidnap a pastor and a retired school principal in Ughelli, arresting a suspect linked to the planned abduction. Police operatives also recovered a single-barrel gun and two live cartridges during the operation.

The command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe, said the arrest followed credible intelligence received by operatives of the ‘A’ Division in Ughelli. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Jeremiah Kwane, allegedly attempted to recruit another person into a kidnapping syndicate to carry out the planned abduction.

"On July 31, 2026, operatives of ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, acting on credible intelligence, foiled a planned kidnapping after receiving information that Jeremiah Kwane, 26, had attempted to recruit an individual into a kidnapping syndicate with the intention of abducting a pastor and a retired school principal in Ughelli," Edafe stated.

The police spokesman added that a search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun and two live cartridges. The suspect is assisting the police with further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes. He urged residents to support the police by providing timely and credible information to improve security across the state.

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On July 31, 2026, operatives of ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, acting on credible intelligence, foiled a planned kidnapping after receiving information that Jeremiah Kwane, 26, had attempted to recruit an individual into a kidnapping syndicate with the intention of abducting a pastor and a retired school principal in Ughelli.