If feelers reaching The New Diplomat are anything to go by, sea pirate gang leader and kidnap kingpin, Mutu Mone, alias MK, who has been terrorizing riverine communities in Warri North and Warri South local government areas of Delta State, may have been captured alive in Osogbo, Osun State. He had been presumed dead in a recent shoot-out with vigilante groups in Egbema area.
A source from Egbema kingdom informed The New Diplomat yesterday that the outlaw, who had wreaked havoc in Warri North Local Government Area, killing and kidnapping for ransom, was caught in Osogbo, Osun State where he was receiving treatment for injuries he sustained in a battle with security vigilantes in the area about a month ago.
It was widely reported then that the gang leader was shot dead in the confrontation, with a source claiming that a body was seen floating on the water identified to be that of Mutu Mone.
However, while speaking to The New Diplomat on phone yesterday, November 16, from Egbema kingdom in Warri North, the source confirmed that MK was captured three days ago in Oshogbo, where he was receiving treatment for bullet wounds he sustained during the confrontation in the creeks.
“That person that was killed whose body was floating in the water was not MK. But they mistook someone else for MK. As it stands now, just two or three days ago, they apprehended the real MK at Osun State, Osogbo where he went to hide himself and was treating himself. One of his legs is condemned now from the last shoot-out.
“The boy now is currently with us in Oproza. We are trying to secure the life of the boy so that he can tell us who and who are behind it, who is giving him money and the connection. The boy is still alive but under serious pains and pressure,” the source confirmed.
MK, who is believed to have hailed from Ondo State, relocated to Egbema kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area where he built a camp for himself and his gang, after he was chased out of Lagos State.
He reportedly engaged in criminal activities, including piracy, killing and kidnapping for ransom along the waterways. All attempts to capture him proved abortive and about four months ago, he killed some JTF men, including the local peace-keeper vigilantes under ex-militant leader, Tompolo.
When he failed to heed the advice of Tompolo to lay down his arms, the local security outfit, the Creek Dragons, raided his camp and there was a shoot-out during which some of his gang leaders were killed. It was believed at that time that one of the dead was MK.
When The New Diplomat got across to the Delta State Police Command PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe, for confirmation, he said he was not aware of any such development. However, a source very close to Oprozo told our correspondent: “Yes, it is true”.
