By Reen Chidi
The Delta State Police Command has recorded fresh breakthroughs in its operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, rescuing a suspected kidnap victim and arresting five suspects in separate operations across the state.
The operations also led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine, two rounds of live ammunition, a battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer.
Police Rescue Woman, Recover Pistol And Ammunition
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, on October 4, 2026, operatives of the Otu-Jeremi Division rescued a 25-year-old woman allegedly assaulted and held hostage at Usiefrun Community.
The operation was conducted on October 3, following intelligence shared by the DPO of Ovwian-Aladja Division.
The police arrested a 29-year-old suspect identified as Brotugbare Francis Onome, while a search of the premises reportedly led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition.
The command said investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Two Arrested Over Alleged Cult-Related Murder
In another operation, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged cult-related killing of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey at Jesse Main Market in Ethiope West Local Government Area.
The suspects, Ezekiel Sunday Izomor, 23, and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, 23, were arrested on October 1 at a suspected criminal hideout in Oghara following intelligence reportedly obtained from a viral video allegedly showing suspected cultists celebrating the killing.
Police said a battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer were recovered during the operation.
Preliminary investigation, according to the command, indicated that a fleeing suspect identified as Collins was allegedly seeking to become the leader of the Aro Bagger confraternity and was suspected of plotting the murder of a rival cult member to achieve that objective.
The police further alleged that Collins worked with the two arrested suspects and another suspect identified as Richman, who was said to be a close friend of the deceased.
Collins and Richman remain at large, while the command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend them. The two arrested suspects are reportedly assisting the police with the investigation.
Two Arrested Over Alleged Kidnap Plot
Meanwhile, two other suspects have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap a woman in Abraka.
The suspects, Endurance Akpade, 37, and Edwin Friday Morgan, 43, were arrested on October 1 after the Abraka Police Division received information concerning an alleged conspiracy to kidnap the woman.
The arrests were carried out by police operatives in collaboration with members of civilian anti-cult operatives following intelligence gathered by the command.
The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, commended the operatives for what he described as their swift response, intelligence sharing and operational effectiveness.
Erale reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations against kidnapping, cultism and other forms of violent crime.
The Commissioner also urged members of the public to continue providing the police with credible and timely information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.
He further advised youths to shun cultism, warning that involvement in cult-related activities could have serious consequences for their future.
