Update 2:
SSS Links Kingpin To High Profile Abductions
The State Security Service (SSS) has linked the detained criminal to several high profile abductions including that of human rights lawyer and activist, Mr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
In a statement following Kelvin’s arrest in Port Harcourt, the SSS through its spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar said, “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 is also responsible for the following kidnaps, Judge of the Edo State Judiciary, and a top female official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS. Chudi Nwike, Dr., a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who was killed by Kelvin while in captivity; and several members of the NYSC and security agents.
“He also masterminded various attacks against security personnel, carried out several armed robberies and kidnap 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.
“It would also be recalled 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.”
Our Earlier Report:
SAN FRANCISCO, September 25, (THEWILL) – Kelvin Oniarah also known as Ibruvbe, Delta State’s most notorious kidnapper and armed robber has been detained in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, barely a week after he threatened to attack oil facilities in the Niger Delta if Urhobo land is not developed by the federal government.
THEWILL gathered that he was arrested inside a hotel in the wee hours of Wednesday by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS)
An indigene of Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area, the commissioner of police in Delta State, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba once described him as “a gangster, dare devil criminal and drug addict.”
The notorious criminal is believed to have orchestrated several criminal activities in Delta State.
Aduba said Kelvin and his gang even tried to kidnap his traditional ruler – the Ovie of Agbon clan.
Update:
A combined team of operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police deployed from Abuja on Wednesday arrested the most wanted kidnapper in Delta State, Kelvin Oniarah in a hotel room in Port Harcourt, the River State capital.
The security operatives had earlier stormed Kokori, Kelvin’s hometown in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, engaging his boys in hot exchange of gun fire as they combed the town for the gang leader before he was finally arrested in his hotel room.
In the operation that eventually led to his arrest, heavily armed youths loyal to the suspect were said to have opened fire on the troops deployed from Abuja during which fatalities were reportedly recorded on both sides.
His arrest is however coming a week after he issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to develop Urhobo areas of Delta State or face an unprecedented attack on oil facilities in the area.
Kelvin had reportedly terrorised the state for decades and had at several times been declared wanted as he and his gang held the state to ransom for several months making millions of naira from families of kidnapped victims.
Before his arrest on Wednesday,the police had placed a ransom of N2 million on him as they described him as the most wanted kidnapper and robbery kingpin in Delta State.
Early this year, he allegedly ambushed a Nigeria Prison Services Hilux van conveying suspects to Warri and shot dead three warders in an attempt to rescue his gang members awaiting trial.
And based on his activities using commercial motorcyclists in his community to gather information on his would-be-victims and movement of security agents, the state government, some months ago, banned commercial motorcycle activities in Kokori and other parts of Ethiope East Local Government Area.
The police had also raided Kokori last April and brought down the family home of Kelvin, suspected to be his operational headquarters.
Several months of man-hunt for him by the detectives of the Delta State Police Command did not yield the desired result. And recently, 50 persons were arrested by the police in Kokori in a bid to track him down as he was also declared wanted for the murder of several soldiers and policemen.
The Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was said to have recently pleaded with community leaders of Kokori at a meeting in Government House, Asaba, to help fish out Kelvin and his gang.
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