By Austin Ogwuda
TWO herbalists who specialise in preparing charms for a criminal gang have been arrested by the Delta State Police command in possession of three live tortoises they claim they are using to offer protection to a criminal gang.
They met their Waterloo last Saturday.
Delta State Police Command’s Spokesman, Bright Edafe a Superintendent of Police SP gave a vivid account of how they were apprehended in a press statement issued today (Thursday).
According to him, “On 19th July 2025, in the early hours of the day, the operatives arrested one Peter (surname withheld by The Townhall), a 35-year-old male suspect of Kwale in Ndokwa LGA, Delta State, and a suspected spiritual herbalist responsible for ritual preparations for the criminal gang.
“Following intensive interrogation, he led operatives to another suspect, one Joseph (surname withheld by The Townhall), 63 years old, of Ajakorama Community, Ovia South-West LGA, Edo State, identified as the syndicate’s primary spiritualist. He was found in possession of three live tortoises and other fetish items believed to be used in criminal fortification rituals.
“Acting swiftly on further intelligence provided by the arrested suspects, operatives stormed Oghara and successfully apprehended the ring leader, Owei Abebo a.k.a “Adusa”, aged 42, along with the following male accomplices: Ebi Maye, 41 years, from Poloborbor Community in Warri North LGA, Delta State; and Happy Obegha, 39 years, of Aakoroma Community, Ovia North-East LGA, Edo State.
“During a thorough search of the suspect’s hideouts”, the statement went on, “the operatives recovered two hundred and forty-seven (247) rounds of live ammunition for a Submachine Gun (SMG) rifle.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that their latest plot involved planned coordinated kidnappings across Sapele and Oghara which was successfully foiled after their arrest”.
