The Delta State Police Command have arrested five suspects who claimed to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the state over kidnappings and extortion from victims.

In a statement on Friday by the Delta state police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the activities of the suspects triggered the “EndEFCC” protest in Ughelli that led to the burning of over 13 trucks and the destruction of properties in October.

According to the police spokesperson, “one of the victims narrated how they gained entrance into his compound by scaling the fence, breaking into the apartment, and forcefully abducting and taking their target away in a white Toyota Hiace bus.

“The victim further told the police that on getting to the head bridge, that is, the boundary between Delta and Anambra State, the syndicate forcefully collected his phones from him and other valuables worth N3,700,000, made a cash transfer of N2,500,000 and told him that they will come for him again.

“On interrogation, all the suspects admitted to having robbed different victims from various parts of the state.  They also stated that they sometimes lodged their victims in a hotel for days until they succeed in extorting huge sums of money from them or forcing them to transfer money into their mobile POS.”

The suspects are, Prince Allison (29), resident in Port Harcourt and the leader of the syndicate claiming to be EFCC contract staff in Port-Harcourt; George Chisom Onyeweagu (29), resident in Owerri and he operates the POS that they use to forcefully withdraw money from their victim’s account;  Duke Okoro (40) resident in Asaba,  Delta State; Joseph Osinachi (23) resident in Lagos State; and Onyocha Stanley (32), resident in Owerri.