Kidnap of Gov Dickson’s sister: Navy parades 5 suspects

WARRI – FIVE suspects allegedly involved in last year’s kidnap of Nancy Dickson, younger sister to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state were yesterday paraded in Warri, Delta state by the Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS, Delta.

Nancy, 26, kidnapped at her shop in Okaka Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital December last year had since be freed by her abductors.

The suspects paraded along with nine oil thieves and four pirates at the Warri naval base were said to have been arrested with explosives, ammunition and a machine used for local fabrication of guns at Okuama, Ughelli South Council Area of Delta State.

Commodore Joseph Dzunve, Commander, NNS Delta, while parading the suspects said, “We have some criminals in three groups. One group is of impersonators who go about deceiving civilians claiming to be either naval officers or NUPENG officials to extort and they used violence as well.

“Another group is of oil thieves responsible for breaking pipes to steal crude oil for refining in illegal cooking camps. The third group is of pirate suspects. Most times these groups operate together.

“From the weapon and equipment displayed in front of them, you will notice that it represents a workshop they used in manufacturing local guns, weapons, some of which are capable of firing automatic bullets.”

Dzunve said the suspects were arrested at different times and locations, adding that none of them had, however, been in their custody for more than 48 hours.

“Most times these groups operate together. They move from one crime type to another. If they have local technology to manufacture those kinds of weapons, it is also possible they can also blow pipes”, the NNS Delta commander further stated.

Besides the suspects, six cotonou boats laden with unspecified volume of suspected stolen were also intercepted by the navy in collaboration with men of the joint task force, Operation Delta Safe.

Vanguardngr.