The Delta State Police Command has announced major breakthroughs in its sustained fight against kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, murder and illicit drug trafficking, revealing that no fewer than 85 suspects were arrested while 18 kidnapped victims were rescued during operations carried out between April 29 and June 29, 2026.
Speaking during the Command’s Second Quarter Press Briefing in Asaba on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, said the achievements were the outcome of intelligence-led policing, strategic deployment of personnel, coordinated raids on criminal hideouts, enhanced stop-and-search operations, and improved intelligence gathering across the state.
According to the Commissioner, the Command recorded significant successes in anti-kidnapping operations, including the arrest of notorious kidnapping suspects and the recovery of sophisticated firearms and ammunition.
Among the notable breakthroughs was the arrest of Shehu Malami, 45, at Ogor Market in Ughelli on April 29. Police said the suspect later led operatives to his hideout in Agbarha-Otor, where an AK-47 rifle and 63 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. Investigations linked him to several kidnapping incidents in Ughelli, Agbarho, Sapele, Warri and neighbouring communities.
In another operation, police operatives working with local vigilantes arrested two suspected kidnappers after they reportedly emerged from a forest to purchase food and medication following a failed kidnap attempt. The suspects were later identified by one of their intended victims, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
The State Anti-Kidnapping Unit also recovered another AK-47 rifle loaded with five rounds of live ammunition after engaging suspected kidnappers in a forest hideout around Ubulu-Okiti during an intelligence-driven operation.
The Commissioner further disclosed that operatives of the Command Anti-Vice Squad rescued a three-year-old child allegedly abducted by a commercial motorcyclist assigned to convey the child to and from school. The suspect, identified as Kelvin Ogaga, was arrested after demanding a ransom of ₦500,000, while ₦127,000, believed to be part of the ransom proceeds, was recovered. The child was rescued unharmed and reunited with the family.
On homicide investigations, CP Oyeniyi revealed that police arrested Adedamola Michael Oyewole, 31, over the alleged murder of Habibatu Aruwa, a 21-year-old final-year Law student of the University of Port Harcourt, who was stabbed to death in Warri following a domestic dispute.
The Command also concluded investigations into the murder of Bishop Chinedu Okonkwo, allegedly killed by his driver, who was arrested in Anambra State while attempting to sell the cleric’s Toyota Land Cruiser. The suspect has since been charged to court.
The Commissioner said intelligence-led operations also yielded significant recoveries of illegal firearms and the arrest of suspected cultists across the state.
He disclosed that operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit arrested two suspected cultists in Ibusa, recovering a pump-action gun loaded with five live cartridges, charms and suspected illicit drugs.
Similarly, another intelligence operation near the Customs Checkpoint along the Benin-Asaba Expressway led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol and six rounds of live ammunition before they could be deployed for criminal activities.
In Agbarho, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) stormed a suspected cult initiation ground linked to the Eiye Confraternity, arresting 25 suspected cultists. The operation also led to the recovery of a pump-action shotgun and a cut-to-size firearm after armed resistance from some of the suspects.
Police also raided a notorious criminal hideout known as Best Lodge in Oko Community, arresting 14 suspected armed robbers and cultists while recovering a locally made firearm, live cartridges, dangerous weapons, suspected Indian hemp, mobile phones and cash.
In the fight against illicit drug trafficking, VCRU operatives arrested two suspected drug dealers in Amukpe, Sapele. Recovered exhibits included large quantities of Tramadol, CSC Codeine, MDMA (Molly), Swinol, Vagadine, Red Boy, Zaza, Taker, and other controlled substances believed to have been intended for distribution.
Presenting the Command’s overall operational scorecard, the Commissioner disclosed that 85 suspects were arrested during the review period, comprising four kidnapping suspects, five murder suspects, 76 cultism suspects and seven drug-related suspects. Of the cultism suspects, 46 have already been charged to court, while 30 remain under investigation. Five drug suspects have also been prosecuted.
CP Oyeniyi further revealed that police rescued 18 kidnapped victims and recovered 32 firearms, including three AK-47 rifles, four pump-action guns, two Beretta pistols, two locally made revolver pistols, three cut-to-size firearms, 17 locally made single-barrel guns and one double-barrel locally made pistol.
The Command also recovered 197 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition, 219 live cartridges, and large quantities of dangerous drugs and controlled substances, including Tramadol, CSC Codeine, Rohypnol, Swinol, MDMA, Canadian Loud, Indian hemp, Monkey Tail, Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas), Tianeptine (Zaza) and psychoactive chewing gum popularly known as “Highness Gum.”
The Commissioner assured residents that the Delta State Police Command remains committed to making the state unsafe for criminals while ensuring the safety of law-abiding citizens. He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist security agencies, stressing that effective policing remains a shared responsibility.