ASABA, DELTA STATE — The Delta State Police Command has recorded fresh operational successes in its ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, violent crime and other criminal activities across the state, rescuing an abducted woman in Sapele and arresting eight suspects in Abraka.
The command also recovered three locally made pistols, Tramadol and other suspected illicit drugs during a separate operation in Abraka.
The police said the incident occurred at about 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, when armed men reportedly ambushed a woman at the entrance of her residence along Eko-Amukpe Road, Sapele.
According to the command, the assailants fired several shots into the air before forcing the woman into a nearby bush.
Following a distress report, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Sapele Division immediately mobilised patrol and surveillance teams to the scene.
Police operatives recovered expended AK-47 ammunition shells at the location, while a coordinated search of the surrounding bushes was launched with support from local vigilantes.
The search operation continued throughout the night into the morning of Thursday, September 3, putting sustained pressure on the kidnappers.
The command said the pressure eventually forced the abductors to abandon the victim and flee the area.
The woman was subsequently found and rescued unharmed before being reunited with her family.
The police said efforts have been intensified to identify, track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Eight Arrested In Abraka Operation
In a related development, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, arrested eight suspects during an intelligence-driven operation in suspected criminal hideouts in Abraka.
The operation followed an ongoing investigation into an attempted murder reported on September 3, 2026.
Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives raided identified black spots in the area, leading to the arrest of Evans Adamda, Mamatime Micheal, Wale Morakinya, Anabono, Godspower, Theophilus Philip, Robinson Oghenewiro and Inoni Ejiroghene.
Three locally made pistols, Tramadol and other suspected illicit drugs were recovered during the operation.
The suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in police custody as investigators work to establish their individual roles in the alleged attempted murder and other criminal activities in the area.
Police Assure Residents Of Sustained Crackdown
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, commended the police operatives and local vigilantes who contributed to the successes.
Erale reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations against kidnappers, cultists, armed criminals and other elements threatening the safety of residents.
He said the command would continue to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts, apprehend suspects and recover illegal firearms and other dangerous items.
The commissioner also urged residents to support the police by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing investigations and prevent criminal activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, issued the statement on behalf of the command on September 4, 2026.
