The Delta State Police Command has said it has rescued a two months old infant from a suspected trafficker, one Mrs Joy Temitope in Delta.
It also disclosed that it recovered over five million naira in ransom money, while arresting several suspected kidnappers in the process.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Asaba.
According to CP Abaniwonda, the Command intensified its fight against kidnapping and violent crimes through proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and targeted raids on criminal hideouts across the state. Highlighting the achievements, he noted that the efforts have led to the following outcomes:
He explained that Mrs. Joy Temitope Oyetimi (49) was arrested following a report from a man whose 20-year-old wife was drugged and her two-month-old baby stolen while en route from Koko to Warri on February 16, 2025. Acting on intelligence, officers from Ekpan Police Station tracked and arrested Oyetimi.
He said, “During interrogation, she confessed to stealing the child. The baby, now five months old, has since been rescued and reunited with his parents. The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
“On May 12, 2025, at about 9:30 am, operatives from the Dragon Patrol team intercepted a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna vehicle along the Kwale/Ozoro express road. The bus, which was heading to Asaba from Ughelli, raised suspicions during a stop-and-search operation. Upon searching the vehicle, police recovered ₦3.1 million from four passengers later identified as Abubakar Alwalu (25), Usman Husseini (25), Adamu Mohammed (30), and Anwalu Umaru (23).
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a five-man kidnapping gang responsible for abducting a woman from her residence in Ughelli. The victim was held for four days before a ransom of ₦4 million was collected. She has since positively identified the suspects. Investigations are ongoing.”
In another major breakthrough, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on credible intelligence, tracked and arrested Abdullahi Ibrahim (22), believed to be the leader of a kidnap gang, in Ore Town, Ondo State, on May 10, 2025, at about 5:59 pm. His arrest led to the capture of another gang member, Adamu Usman (24), a native of Abeokuta.
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The Police boss said, “The suspects subsequently led the police to a forest along Ore-Lagos expressway, near an area known as “Stepdown,” where officers recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition and a locally-made long gun with six live cartridges. Both suspects are in custody and are assisting police with further investigations.
“Still on May 12, at about 10:30 am, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad apprehended Lawal Tasiu (26) at Koka Junction, Asaba, after a swift operation following the kidnap of a man in the Itego community of Ibusa. Tasiu was caught after a hot chase and found with ₦900,000, believed to be his share of the ransom paid for the victim’s release.
CP Abaniwonda reaffirmed the Delta State Police Command’s unwavering commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
“We will not relent. Our strategy of proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated operations is yielding results. Criminals have no hiding place in Delta State,” he said.
He also commended the operatives involved in the various successful operations and urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the police with timely information.