The Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Nwachukwu said the suspects were arrested following a raid of their hideouts in the Oloibiri oil field in the Otuabagi community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He stated that exhibits such as guns, live cartridges, and mobile phones among others were recovered from the suspects.
“Troops of 16 Brigade on Exercise STILL WATERS III successfully conducted a raid operation on a suspected cultists’ camp within Oloibiri oil field, at Otuabagi community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. During the operations, 8 members of the cultist group were nabbed in their hideout.
“The troops also recovered from the cultists, one Baretta pistol, one locally made double barrel pistol, 5 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 3 live cartridges, one Baofeng communication radio, one binocular, 2 mobile phones, and a substance suspected to be cannabis.”
He disclosed further that following a distress call from a citizen about a suspected case of kidnapping in Obagie community, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, the 4 Brigade troops on Exercise STILL WATERS III operations, swung into action and rescued one victim of kidnapping while two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested with other exhibits.
“Troops of 4 Brigade on Exercise STILL WATERS III on 18 October 2023 responded to a distress call by a law-abiding citizen, who reported a kidnap incident at Obagie community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The troops promptly swung into action and rescued one Miss Blessing Uwenze who was kidnapped by a criminal gang. Two members of the kidnap gang were arrested and taken into custody for further investigation. Items recovered from the suspects include 2 Semi Automatic Pump Action guns, 4 Live Cartridges, one mobile phone, and fetish items.”
Nwachukwu said the suspects are undergoing interrogation while the kidnap victim has been reunited with her family.
“The suspects are currently under custody undergoing further interrogation and the victim, Blessing Uwenze has since been reunited with her family,” he disclosed.
