Detectives in Obantoko Division, Ogun State have arrested a suspected fraudster identified as Kehinde Makinde, popularly known as “Pastor Kenny,” after four months of investigation.
The police alleged that Makinde defrauded fellowship members in Ogun by promising to organise a government-sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem and pay each participant ₦2 million.
The command alleged that he collected about N2.5 million from 18 members.
Also, the Police Command has rescued seven kidnapped victims, killed three suspected kidnappers and arrested 38 suspects in a series of operations.
The command also said it recovered two firearms, 75 rounds of live ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, cash and other suspected criminal exhibits during the operations.
The command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police Oluseyi Babaseyi, made this known in a Statement, emphasising that the breakthrough in the kidnapping case followed the abduction of seven victims on July 29 on Paraga Street, Ipara, Ogun State.
The Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army and other security agencies, subsequently launched intelligence-led operations to locate the victims.
Babaseyi stated that the operation received additional aerial support on August 3 after Governor Dapo Abiodun requested the deployment of a police helicopter from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
The police said the combination of intelligence gathering, surveillance, aerial support and ground operations eventually led to the rescue of all seven victims.
The victims were taken to the Police Hospital for medical attention, with one reportedly receiving treatment for a gunshot injury.
Two days after the rescue, at about 2am on August 6, security operatives stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway.
The police said the suspects engaged the operatives in a gun battle, during which three suspected kidnappers were killed, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.
An AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, four mobile phones and N2.3 million cash were recovered from the hideout.
The command said the bodies of the deceased suspects were deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, for autopsy, while efforts were continuing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
