Kidnappers abduct 3, hoodlums invade mall despite curfew In Delta

In spite of the 48-hours curfew declared by Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, a gang of kidnappers Friday whisked away two pastors and a church member in Ubulu-Unor-Ogwashi-Uku road, Aniocha south local government area of Delta.

Hoodlums also invaded a popular shopping mall, Memories Superstores along Ajogodo road, in Sapele, Delta State, looted and vandalised and carted award goods worth millions of naira.

According to eyewitnesses, the abductors struck when  the unsuspecting victims, members of a new generation Church, were inspecting ongoing construction work at the Church’s building site in the area.

The senior pastor’s name was given as Pastor Paul Okozi while the member’s name was given as Mr. Obi Dieyi but the name of the junior Pastor who was just posted to serve in the Church could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report..

A  member who managed to escape from the hoodlums, whom were said to be heavily armed, raised alarm on the incident.

Although, no contact has been made by the kidnappers to family members or Church members, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, who confirmed the abduction, disclosed that only one pastor was abducted.

While assuring that the police are on top of the situation to rescue the victim and consequently arrest the suspects, she revealed that they probably went in purchase of land when they were attacked.

In another development, hoodlums Friday defied Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s 48 hours curfew imposed in the state to unleash terror at Memories Shopping Mall in Sapele.

The hoodlums were chased out of the mall following the timely intervention of men of the Nigerian Army, 19 Battalion, Koko, who on getting a distress call raced to the scene on time, before greater havocs could be done.

Daily Trust learnt the hoodlums disguising as #EndSARS protesters last night, Thursday, set up fires across Sapele town, while residents reported hearing gunfire around the ever-busy Olympia area along Oleh road and Okpe road.

Speaking at the scene, Chairman Sapele Local Government Area, Eugene Inoaghan appealed to protesters to be clam noting that the government was doing everything to meet their demands.

“We  know how pained the youths are and I can assure you all that the government is doing everything to meet your demands, just give the government some time” he appealed.

The Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to Governor Okowa on Security matters, Omasan Mabiaku who addressed newsmen at the scene of the vandalisation said, “It was disheartening that genuine protest by youths has now been hijacked by hoodlums.

Omasan, who is also a Pastor, had earlier dispersed some group of protesters at the Amukpe end of the town.

One eyewitness, Akporotu Onome, told newsmen that the hoodlums stormed the mall and forced their way in and thereafter began to loot goods inside the store, people were carting away goods and others were destroying until soldiers came in”

Another eyewitness, Chika Michael, said some persons were watching outside while others were doing the looting, while a photographer, Matthew Akpeyi said the presence of the soldiers did help to restore peace and secure the place.