…Rescue 18 Kidnapped Victims, Recover N36 Million, 28 Vehicles, Guns, Ammunitions
By Sunday Apah
The Police in Delta State have arrested 627 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, rapists, and murderers, rescued 18 kidnapped victims, and recovered 28 vehicles, several guns, ammunition, and other weapons from January 2025 to date.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Abaniwonda Olufemi, announced this during a press briefing on Monday in Asaba, the state capital.
He stated that two suspects in the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu at her residence on November 24, 2025, were arrested on December 6, 2025, based on credible intelligence.
He explained that operatives of the Homicide Section, State CID, Asaba, arrested Godwin Mngumi, a 25-year-old male security guard attached to the deceased’s residence.
“The suspect was found in possession of one of the late Justice’s mobile phones. Upon interrogation, he voluntarily confessed and admitted inviting his accomplice, Nnaji Obalum, a 21-year-old male, to perpetrate the crime,” he said.
The suspects confessed that on November 23, 2025, at about 9:30 p.m., they, along with a third suspect currently at large, entered the deceased’s home, tied her with rope and cloth, and murdered her.
They thereafter stole her valuables, including two phones and a wristwatch, which they disposed of for a meagre sum. One of the stolen phones has been recovered in Ogbogonogo market, Asaba.
Also, on 1st December 2025, at about 0230 hrs, operatives of the Command State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), in collaboration with community volunteers, were on intensive patrol when they received credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers were sighted within the Obiaruku forest.
Acting swiftly, operatives of SACU stormed the bush, where the suspects opened fire from multiple directions in a bid to repel the team.
The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the death of one suspect, while others escaped into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. One AK-47 rifle with forty-two (42) rounds of live ammunition, nine mobile phones, and charms were recovered.
In a similar operation, on 6th December 2025 at about 0730 hrs, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on credible intelligence, executed a successful intelligence-led operation in Abraka.
The operatives conducted a coordinated search at Umeghe community, Abraka, at the residence of Isiakpere Friday, male, 67 years old.
The operation resulted in the recovery of two (2) pump-action guns and thirty-nine (39) live cartridges. The suspect is in custody, and an investigation is ongoing to determine possible links to cult groups, arms suppliers, and other criminal networks.
In another development, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) recorded a series of coordinated breakthroughs between 28th and 29th November 2025 in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks linked to armed robbery and cult-related activities across Ughelli, Oghara, and Sapele.
Acting on credible intelligence around the Ekuigbo axis, the team intercepted Kelvin Oke, male, 42 years old, and recovered a stolen tricycle in his possession.
Further coordinated operations led to the arrest of two additional suspects: Victor Oyaye, male, 26 years old, identified as the gang leader, and Monday Emakpo, male, 31 years old, residing in Agbarha, Ughelli. Another stolen tricycle and a locally made shotgun loaded with six live cartridges were recovered.
Also, on 10th December 2025 at about 2130 hrs, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations led a formidable contingent of policemen drawn from the Buffalo Tactical Teams to Agbor, Ika South LGA, Delta State, where they conducted a decisive raid on a hideout known for notorious sales and distribution of illicit drugs.
The intelligence-driven operation resulted in the arrest of one hundred and sixty-one (161) suspects, comprising one hundred and ten (110) males and fifty-one (51) females.
A large quantity of illicit drugs was recovered from the hideout, including Nigeria Loud, Canadian Loud, CSC Codeine, Ice, and sachets of 200 mg of Tramadol. Similarly, on 13th December 2025, operatives of Buffalo intercepted an Asaba-Onitsha bus at the Head Bridge, Asaba, and subjected it to a search during which one hundred and nine (109) bottles of codeine and cartons of tramadol were recovered. The suspects were promptly arrested, and investigation is ongoing.
“In line with the mandate of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, to ensure a safe, peaceful, and crime-free environment across the country, I have directed officers and men of the Delta State Police Command to remain proactive, professional, and fully committed to the protection of lives and property across the state.
“This commitment has, within the year under review, resulted in the recovery of a total of one hundred and forty-four (144) firearms, comprising twenty-seven (27) AK-47/AK-49 rifles, twenty-five (25) Beretta pistols, fifty-six (56) single-barrel and locally fabricated cut-to-size guns, and thirty-six (36) pump-action guns;
“In addition, the Command recovered six thousand nine hundred and thirty (6,930) rounds of ammunition/cartridges, significantly degrading the operational capacity of criminal elements.
“Furthermore, the Command recorded the arrest of over six hundred and twenty-seven (627) suspects, which includes one hundred and forty (140) suspected armed robbers, one hundred and thirteen (113) suspected kidnappers, one hundred and twenty-five (125) murder suspects, one hundred and eighty-seven (187) suspected cultists, sixty-two (62) suspects arrested for rape and defilement offences, and thirty-six million naira (#36,000,000) ransom recovered within the period under review.
“AK-47/AK-49 rifles recovered were 27, Beretta pistols 25, single-barrel/cut-to-size guns 56, pump action guns 36, ammunition and cartridges 6,930; ransom recovered N36,000,000.
“Suspects arrested include 140 armed robbers, 113 kidnappers, 125 murder suspects, 187 cultists, 62 rape/defilement suspects, 18 rescued kidnapped victims, and 28 vehicles recovered,” he added.
