The Delta State Police Command has announced the successful rescue of a kidnapped girl and the arrest of her suspected abductor, alongside the apprehension of 27 suspected armed robbers with recovery of firearms and illicit drugs in separate operations across the state.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, the first operation was carried out by operatives of the Agbor Division led by Divisional Police Officer, CSP Obekpa Michael, following intelligence on the abduction of a young girl from Niger State.
Acting on the tip-off, the police trailed the suspect, identified as Bila Halili, 30, of Kosso community, Sokoto State, to his residence in Oza Nogogo community.
There, officers found the victim, Rebecca Mathew, of Bodinga community, Washegu Local Government Area, Niger State, who had been declared missing since September 2, 2025.
Investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly lured Rebecca from her family home, destroyed her SIM card to cut off communication, and kept her against her will.
The girl, who showed signs of being hypnotized, told investigators she had been manipulated by the suspect. Her mother, Esther Moses, had earlier reported the case to the police in Niger State before Delta police tracked down the suspect.
Rebecca has since been rescued and reunited with security authorities, while Halili remains in custody as investigations continue.
In a separate operation on September 9, operatives of the Eagle Net Special Squad, Asaba, working in synergy with the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), stormed Basket Market along Asaba–Benin Road, Uromi Junction, acting on what police described as “high-powered intelligence.”
The raid, led by SP Yunusa Danyaya, resulted in the arrest of 27 adult suspects. A search of the hideout uncovered a locally fabricated cut-to-size firearm and large quantities of illicit drugs believed to be used by the suspects in their criminal activities.
Police said the location had been serving as a den for planning and executing crimes.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the officers for their professionalism and swift action.
He stressed that security is a collective responsibility and urged residents to continue volunteering credible information to aid the police in tackling crime.
“Community partnership remains key in effective policing. I urge members of the public to always make available useful and timely information to help the police in the fight against crime,” CP Abaniwonda said.
The police assured that investigations into both cases are ongoing, and suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.
