The Delta State Police Command on Monday said it arrested 85 suspected criminals and rescued 18 kidnap victims between April 29 and June 29, 2026, as part of intensified operations against crime across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, disclosed this during the command’s second quarter press briefing in Asaba.
He said the command recorded major successes in the fight against kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, murder and drug trafficking through intelligence-led policing, raids on criminal hideouts and improved collaboration with local vigilantes and communities.
According to him, four suspected kidnappers, five murder suspects, 76 suspected cultists and seven drug suspects were arrested during the period under review.
Oyeniyi said 46 cultism suspects had already been charged to court, while investigations were ongoing on 30 others.
The police commissioner also revealed that the command recovered 32 firearms, including three AK-47 rifles, four pump-action guns, two Beretta pistols and several locally-made weapons.
He added that 197 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and 219 live cartridges were also recovered from criminal suspects.
Giving details of some of the operations, Oyeniyi said operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper, Shehu Malami, at Ogor Market in Ughelli on April 29.
According to him, the suspect later led officers to his hideout in Agbarha-Otor where an AK-47 rifle and 63 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a member of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of kidnapping operations within Ughelli, Agbarho, Sapele, Warri and neighbouring communities,” he said.
The police commissioner also said two suspected kidnappers were arrested in Ughelli after they emerged from a forest to buy food and medication following a failed kidnap operation.
He noted that victims of an earlier kidnapping attempt identified the suspects as members of the gang.
In another breakthrough, Oyeniyi said operatives rescued a three-year-old child allegedly abducted by a commercial motorcyclist assigned to take the child to school.
He said the suspect, identified as Kelvin Ogaga, demanded a ransom of N500,000 from the child’s family before he was tracked and arrested.
“The child was rescued unharmed and reunited with the family, while part of the ransom money was recovered,” he said.
On murder cases, the commissioner confirmed the arrest of Adedamola Michael Oyewole over the death of a 21-year-old final-year law student of the University of Port Harcourt, Habibatu Aruwa.
According to him, the suspect allegedly stabbed the victim following an argument over his marital status.
“The suspect stated that their argument started when the deceased discovered that he was married to a woman based in the United States of America,” Oyeniyi said.
He added that the suspect was currently in custody while investigations continued.
The police boss also provided an update on the murder of Bishop Chinedu Okonkwo in Ibusa, saying the prime suspect, who was the bishop’s driver, had been arrested and charged to court.
According to him, the suspect was apprehended in Anambra State while attempting to sell the bishop’s vehicle.
The commissioner further disclosed that operatives arrested 25 suspected cultists during a raid on a suspected cult initiation ground in Agbarho.
He said one pump-action gun and a cut-to-size firearm were recovered during the operation.
Oyeniyi also revealed that police raided a criminal hideout known as Best Lodge in Oko Community, leading to the arrest of 14 suspected armed robbers and cultists.
Recovered items included a locally-made gun, live cartridges, suspected Indian hemp, mobile phones and cash.
The commissioner said the command also intensified efforts against drug trafficking.
He disclosed that two suspected drug dealers were arrested in Amukpe, Sapele, with large quantities of Tramadol, Codeine, MDMA, Swinol and other controlled substances recovered.
While assuring residents of continued security operations, Oyeniyi urged members of the public to support the police with timely and credible information.
“The Delta State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to make Delta State hostile to criminals and safe for law-abiding citizens.
“We encourage members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, as security remains a collective responsibility,” he said.
