DG SSS, Ita EKPEYONG
Dreaded kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, was Wednesday arrested by a combined team of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Army. He was believed to have been behind the kidnap of the human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), his driver and an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Athansius Ugbome, along Auchi–Benin road late last month.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), spokesperson for DSS, Marilyn Ogar, said Oniarah who was arrested yesterday was a notorious terrorist, kidnap kingpin and armed robber and had been on the wanted list of security agencies.
Ogar said Oniarah, who is also known as Kelvin Ibruvwe, was responsible for the kidnap and killing, while in captivity, of Dr. Chudi Nwike, a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State.
According to the statement, “On 25th September, 2013, a combined security team of the Nigerian Army and DSS operatives arrested Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, a notorious terrorist, kidnap kingpin and armed robber, who has been on the wanted list of security agencies.
“Kelvin Oniarah, who is also known as Kelvin Ibruvwe, masterminded the kidnap of Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on 24th August, 2013, along Auchi–Benin Road.
“He was also responsible for the following kidnappings: of a judge of the Edo State judiciary; a top female official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Dr. Chudi Nwike, a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who was killed by Kelvin while in captivity; and several members of the National Youth Service Corps and security agents.
“He also masterminded various attacks against security personnel, carried out several armed robberies and kidnapping operations in Delta, Edo, Rivers and Anambra States.
“Oniarah maintained operational bases and detention camps in Warri and Kokori community in Delta State, Ugbokolo community in Benue State, Benin City in Edo State, and Aba in Abia State.
“Recall that on 18th September, 2013, Kelvin Oniarah issued a 60-day ultimatum from his base in Kokori, Delta State, to the federal government and threatened to wreak havoc on innocent Nigerian citizens.
“Kelvin Oniarah has been taken into custody and investigation of his notorious activities has commenced.
He terrorized several communities in Delta State, especially the Kokori/Isoko areas of the state. His nefarious activities came to the fore in March this year, when his gang members robbed and kidnapped several people with reckless abandon.”
A source disclosed that the SSS had been on Kelvin’s trail for more than two years, adding that the kidnap kingpin lived abroad and only came back to the state whenever he had an operation.
Kelvin and his gang had last week, stormed a primary school in Kokori town, in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State in broad day light, all dressed in military camouflage, fitted with hoods and masks, and high-resolution weapons with which he demonstrated being a gun geek, with several shots fired in the air. He is believed to be a native of the town.
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