The Delta State Police Command has recorded significant strides in the fight against crime in July, leading to the arrest of over 200 suspects, the recovery of 18 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and over ₦8.5 million in ransom money.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, disclosed these achievements during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Asaba on Monday, highlighting the success of sustained intelligence-driven and community policing strategies across the state.
Crushing Kidnap Gangs and Recovering Ransoms
The Command’s Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, working alongside the Nigerian Army, neutralized two suspected kidnappers in a gun battle in Ogwashi-Uku forest on July 30.
Two female polytechnic students were rescued, and items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, 39 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦3.5 million suspected to be ransom.
Similarly, operatives arrested a key suspect, Chiadiji Collins a.k.a. “Smooth”, and his accomplice, recovering an AK-47 rifle, 40 rounds of ammunition, and two pump-action guns.
These suspects are believed to be responsible for multiple kidnappings across Aniocha South and surrounding areas.
In another major operation, police foiled a planned high-profile abduction in Sapele and Oghara. Five suspects were arrested, including a 63-year-old ritualist and gang leader Owei Abebo a.k.a. “Adusa”. A total of 247 rounds of SMG ammunition were recovered from the criminal network.
Self-Kidnap, Cultism, and Cybercrime
In a bizarre case, operatives uncovered a fake kidnapping staged by one Merit Eneh, a 27-year-old woman who conspired with two men to extort ₦3 million from her brother.
The suspects were arrested and are currently under investigation.
On July 21, a joint police-army operation stormed a suspected cybercrime hub in Effurun, arresting 184 suspected internet fraudsters and recovering 273 laptops, 97 smartphones, and other devices.
The Command also recorded several cultism-related arrests. Notably, three suspected members of the Eiye confraternity were apprehended in Abraka with a Beretta pistol and other weapons, while in Ogwashi-Uku, two suspected Black Axe members were caught with six cut-to-size guns and eight live cartridges.
Arms, Drugs, and Community Policing Success
On July 9, a shootout along the Patani–Ughelli Expressway resulted in the death of six notorious kidnappers and the recovery of four cut-to-size guns and 19 live cartridges.
Separately, in Jesse and Afisere, multiple arrests of drug dealers led to the seizure of large quantities of tramadol, codeine, swinol, cannabis, and other illicit substances.
July 2025 Summary of Achievements:
Firearms recovered: 18
Ammunition and cartridges recovered: 359
Total ransom recovered: ₦8,500,000
Laptops and phones seized: 378
Total suspects arrested: 211
CP Abaniwonda commended the resilience and professionalism of the Command’s operatives and reassured the public of the Police’s commitment to making Delta State unsafe for criminals.
He urged residents to continue collaborating with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities and provided hotlines for swift response:
📞 08036684974, 08114895600, 08025666914
“We will not relent in our efforts to rid Delta State of criminal elements. The safety of every Deltan is our top priority,” CP Abaniwonda affirmed.
