The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its crackdown on kidnappers, rescuing abducted victims, arresting five suspected members of a notorious syndicate, and recovering firearms in a series of coordinated operations across the state.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, in a statement on Friday said the incident, which occurred on February 1, 2026, at about 8 p.m. along the Warri–Sapele Road by Adeje Community, involved the abduction of a group of travellers by armed hoodlums.
The victims were reportedly ambushed and taken into the bush at gunpoint.
Edafe said the case was formally reported on February 4 at about 5 p.m., after two of the victims escaped and raised the alarm.
Their action, he disclosed, triggered a joint operation involving the police, the army, and local vigilantes.
Under sustained pressure from the security team, the kidnappers abandoned the remaining victims, who were later rescued unhurt.
Read Also:
- Police intensify anti-kidnapping patrol on Delta waterways
- Police deploy officers, monitor JAMB CBT centres in FCT
- Police order summary trial of 2 officers caught extorting ₦51,500 bribe from victim in Delta
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Orerokpe Division arrested one suspect, Dafiaga Timothy, on the same day the incident was reported.
He was apprehended while attempting to withdraw money from a victim’s account using a stolen ATM card at a Point of Sale (PoS) terminal in Adeje Community.
Following the arrest, the divisional police officer transferred the case to the CP-Special Assignment Team for further investigation.
Subsequent operations led to the arrest of more suspects.
On March 31 at about 4 p.m., operatives apprehended Samuel Omonigho, in Kokori Community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, and Henry Christmas, in Adeje Community, Okpe Local Government Area.
The breakthrough continued on April 5 at about 2:45 p.m., when two additional suspects, Ovo Wilson Junior, also known as “Sheboy,” and Emakpo Ubiaro Abel, were arrested in Mereje and Ughwagba communities, respectively, both in Okpe Local Government Area.
Police investigations revealed that Abel, a tricycle rider, was responsible for transporting members of the gang to and from their operational locations.
In a follow-up operation on April 13 at about 5:35 a.m., operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, acting on intelligence obtained during interrogation, raided a hideout at Oka Junction, Agbarho.
A thorough search of the premises led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition and a locally made gun with seven live cartridges.
The police said the syndicate has been linked to a series of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across Warri, Sapele, Agbarho, Ughelli and adjoining communities.
The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the collaboration among security agencies and the vigilance of residents, noting that their synergy was instrumental to the success of the operations.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed that investigation is ongoing.
