Delta State: Kidnappers of DPO demand N50 million ransom

Kidnappers of Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Valentine Mbalu of the Nigeria Police Force’s C Division in Asaba, Delta State have allegedly established contact with the family of the victim, demanding N50 million in exchange for his freedom, SaharaReporters reported.

Mr. Mbalu was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Sunday while he traveling from Agbor to Asaba. He was blocked by armed kidnappers, who disarmed him and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

Confiding in Online Media Platform, a senior police officer disclosed that Mr. Mbalu’s family established contact with the kidnappers on Monday, who demanded a N50 million ransom payment.

According to our police source, the negotiations are still ongoing.

While the identities of the culprits have not yet been confirmed, the police source believes they might be Fulani herdsmen, who have been terrorizing the state.

When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Aniamaka, said a police team has gone on a mission to rescue the DPO unhurt and smoke out those behind the act.

It would be recalled that the Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration has held several meetings with the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen across the state, none of which have yielded concrete results, as kidnappers continue to wreak havoc throughout the state.

SaharaReporters