Delta Police Arrest 106 Suspects, Recover Arms And Rescue Victims In Major Crackdown.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 106 suspects in connection with various crimes during the first quarter of the year, as part of intensified efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
A detailed breakdown of the arrests revealed that 35 individuals were apprehended for armed robbery, 24 for kidnapping, 21 for murder, 22 for cult-related activities, while four suspects were linked to cases of defilement.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Olufemi Abaniwonda, noted that the command’s proactive and intelligence-led operations have continued to make Delta State a hostile terrain for criminal activities.
In the course of operations, the command recovered a cache of arms including 11 AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, nine Beretta pistols, 19 single-barrel and cut-to-size guns, 13 pump-action guns, and 5,612 rounds of ammunition and cartridges. Fourteen vehicles were also recovered, and thirteen kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.
Abaniwonda disclosed that a notorious kidnapping syndicate responsible for a string of abductions in Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa, Issele-Uku, Ubuluku and neighbouring areas, met their end in a gun battle with the police. This crackdown followed the kidnapping of a medical doctor and a driver at Issele-Uku on 6 April 2025. The victims were released a day later after a ransom of N15 million was paid.
Acting swiftly, the CP Special Assignment Team launched an intelligence-led investigation. On 10 April 2025, operatives apprehended the gang leader, Abubakar Usman, also known as Shehu, who confessed to multiple kidnappings, including the abduction of realtor Esther Ojoh in Ibusa.
A follow-up operation led to a shootout at the gang’s hideout on 25 March 2025, resulting in the death of four suspects, including Usman. Police recovered three AK-47 rifles and 90 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition during the raid.
The Commissioner expressed deep appreciation to the Delta State Government, sister security agencies, and the people of the state for their support and cooperation. He stressed the critical role of community involvement in maintaining law and order, urging residents to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the police.
Contact numbers were provided for swift reporting, as the police continue their efforts to ensure a safer Delta State for all.