Delta Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Arrest Five Suspects, Recover Fabricated Pistol
By Gilbert Olie
The Delta State Police Command has recorded fresh successes in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, rescuing a kidnapped victim, arresting five suspects and recovering a fabricated Beretta pistol, a magazine and two rounds of live ammunition.
The Command, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the arrests were made during separate operations in different parts of the state.
According to the Police, operatives of the Otu-Jeremi Division, acting on credible intelligence from the Ovwian-Aladja Division, on October 3, 2026, rescued a 25-year-old woman who was allegedly assaulted and held hostage at Usiefrun Community.
The Police said a 29-year-old suspect, identified as Brotugbare Francis Onome, was arrested in connection with the incident.
A search of the premises also led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition. The suspect remains in custody as investigation continues.
Two Arrested Over Cult-Related Murder
In a separate operation, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, arrested two suspected cultists in connection with the murder of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey at Jesse Main Market, Ethiope West Local Government Area, on March 24, 2026.
The suspects, Ezekiel Sunday Izomor, 23, and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, 23, were arrested on October 1 following intelligence obtained from a viral video allegedly showing suspected cultists celebrating the killing.
The suspects were arrested at a suspected criminal hideout in Oghara, where the Police recovered one battle axe, four cutlasses and one hammer.
Preliminary investigation, according to the Police, indicated that a suspect identified as Collins, who is currently at large, allegedly sought to become the leader of the Aro Bagger confraternity and was involved in a plot to eliminate a rival cult member.
The Police further alleged that Collins connived with the two arrested suspects and another suspect identified as Richman, who was said to be a close friend of the deceased.
Collins and Richman are currently at large, while the Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend them.
Two Arrested Over Alleged Kidnap Plot
Also on October 1, operatives of the Abraka Division arrested two men over an alleged plot to kidnap a woman in Abraka.
The suspects, Endurance Akpade, 37, and Edwin Friday Morgan, 43, were apprehended following credible intelligence received by the Police, with the assistance of civilian anti-cult operatives.
The Police said the two suspects are currently assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.
Commending the operatives for their swift response and effective intelligence sharing, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the fight against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
Erale urged members of the public to continue providing the Police with credible and timely information that could assist in preventing and solving crimes.
The Commissioner also warned youths against involvement in cult activities, stressing that cultism could destroy their future and expose them to serious criminal consequences.
