Exclusive: How DPO’s negligence led to the death of police officer, escape of 3 suspected kidnappers in Delta

Facts have emerged on the circumstances that led to the death of a serving Police Inspector, attached to the Delta State Police Command, Inspector Andrew Eguvbehwe and four of the seven suspected kidnappers at Akuku Agbor, Ika South local government area of Delta State.

The incident which occurred on Sunday 11, September at 15:41 pm began when seven suspected kidnappers who were being conveyed in a Toyota Sienna bus to Asaba tried to escape from the policemen, who were overwhelmed.

A police source who begged not to name told Advocate.ng that trouble started when the suspects on getting to Akuku Agbor began to act funny, “not only they started shouting at the top of their voices, they were threatening too.

“They first started making attempt to disarmed the policemen with them and during the melee, a police officer was shot while three of the abductors were said to have been shot dead and the others escaped with bullet wounds”

However, a telegram to the police command in Asaba exclusively obtained by Advocate.ng revealed how negligence on the part of the Isoko-born Jesse Divisional Police Officer, Rachel Edegua, a CSP, against operational direction transported 7 suspected kidnappers in a Toyota Sienna bus without adequate manpower to escort the suspects.

The signal also revealed that the suspects who were arrested the previous day were notorious kidnappers who have been terrorising the Mosogar, and Jesse axis of the Ethiope West Local government area and the suspects were neither handcuffed nor chained on their legs as was the usual norm.

The signal read: “Good morning sir SITREP DTS Command 11/09/2022 x Arrest/Death of Suspected kidnappers/escape of suspected kidnappers/death while in service grateful be informed that report received from Acpol Agbor mine revealed that on 10/9/22  at about 1750hrs four [04] members of Jesse Divisional Anti-Crime arrested on 09/09/2022 at Mosogar some of whom were identified to have taken part in a recent kidnap incident at Jesse, Ethiope West LGA  from Mosogar to the state headquarters  Asaba in Toyota Sienna Space Bus with Reg. No. Benue MKD 256 DH.

It stated further that the bus was driven by deceased Insp Andrew Eguvbehwe with Force service number:  AP/No 199301 attached to Jesse division while travelling between Ekuku Agbor-Ute Erumu communities Ika North – East LGA, the suspects who were neither handcuffed nor leg-chained revolted and became riotous and engaged the policemen in a struggle and attempted to overpower the police escorts in a bid to escape. During the struggle one of the two ak47 rifles in possession of the policemen released gunshots, consequent a bullet hitting and instantly killing the inspector.

It added that following the death of the driver, Eguvbehwe, the vehicle abruptly brought to a halt, giving room to 3 of the suspected kidnapper to escape and the police are currently on their trail to get them to justice.

“In the confusion that ensued, the suspects alighted and made efforts to escape which prompted the police escorts to open fire on them, killing three suspects, rearrested one suspect, while three others escaped.

The report also stated that another policeman with Force service number, F/No 454907, Sgt Endurance Ogorode sustained a bullet injury on his left leg but is in a stable condition.

Advocate.ng also gathered that remains of the deceased Police Inspector and dead suspects had been deposited at Central Hospital Mortuary Agbor for preservation and autopsy investigation.

Meanwhile, the Delta Police command spokesman Edafe Bright who confirmed the incident said another of the suspect kidnapper was later found dead in the bush, insisting the police are on the trail of the flying kidnappers.