Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have killed two suspected kidnappers during a fierce gun battle in the Ughelli area of the state, recovering a cache of sophisticated firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, and a locally made pistol.
A statement issued on Monday, October 6, 2025, by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said the operation followed a series of intelligence-driven raids ordered by the state Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, in response to repeated incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery around the Upper-Agbarho axis of Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe said the CP’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, had earlier arrested two suspects, 28-year-old Abubakar Musa from Kwara State and 25-year-old Yusuf Sale from Bauchi State, during follow-up operations in Rivers and Imo States on October 2 and 4, 2025, respectively.
During interrogation, both suspects reportedly led the police to a bush between Upper Agbarho and Oviri-Ogor communities in Ughelli North Local Government Area, where the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle with two magazines containing 43 rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action gun, and a locally made pistol.
However, the police team was ambushed by other members of the gang while attempting to exit the bush.
The ambushers allegedly opened fire in an attempt to rescue the arrested suspects, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
“In the ensuing gun duel, the suspects and some of their gang members sustained gunshot injuries, while two police operatives also sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment,” Edafe said.
The injured suspects were taken to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead while receiving treatment.
The police added that a manhunt for the fleeing gang members is ongoing.
In a separate operation, the Delta Police Command also announced the arrest of 12 suspected cultists in Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state, recovering a Beretta pistol and one live round of ammunition.
The suspects, identified as 20-year-old Mudiaga Obey and 11 others, were arrested on October 5, 2025, during a raid by the State Anti-Cult Unit on a notorious hideout on Sylvester Street, Jesse Town, where rival cult groups allegedly stockpile arms and hold meetings before launching attacks.
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Edafe noted that the arrests followed renewed cult-related violence in the Jesse area.
The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to uncover their sponsors and linkages with recent violent attacks.
The police spokesman reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying operations against violent crime, kidnapping, and cultism across the state.
“The Delta State Police Command remains resolute in its mission to rid the state of crime and criminality.
“We urge members of the public to continue to provide credible information that will aid in the arrest of these criminal elements,” Edafe added.
