The Delta State Police Command has arrested 211 suspects and recovered ₦8.5 million in ransom, 18 firearms, and 359 rounds of ammunition in July alone.
Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday.
He noted that the command’s achievements were a result of proactive, intelligence-driven, and community-oriented policing strategies aimed at making the state unsafe for criminals.
Olufemi said operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, in collaboration with the army, carried out multiple sting operations across the state, leading
to the neutralization of several criminals and the dismantling of dangerous gangs.
He said one of the major operations occurred on July 30, when two suspected kidnappers were killed during a gun battle in the Ogwashi-Ukwu Forest.
The police commissioner disclosed that the police recovered one AK-47 rifle, 39 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦3.5 million in suspected ransom money in the process.
He also said the suspects had earlier kidnapped two female students of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.
Furthermore, Olufemi explained that a separate operation carried out on July 27 led to the arrest of a notorious kidnapper, identified as Chiadiji Collins, aka “Smooth,” along the Ibusa Road.
He pointed out that his arrest led to the recovery of another AK-47 rifle and the arrest of an accomplice, Ezechie Andrew, who was found in possession of two pump-action guns.
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Continuing, the police boss also disclosed that on July 19, a kidnap plot targeting high-profile individuals in Sapele and Oghara was foiled, leading the police to arrest the gang leader, Owei Abebo, alias “Adusa” and his associates.
A total of 247 rounds of SMG ammunition were recovered during the operation.
He said the command also busted a massive cybercrime syndicate on July 21 in Effurun, arresting 184 suspected internet fraudsters and recovering 273 laptops, 97 smartphones, and other electronic devices.
The state police chief mentioned the arrest of a woman, Merit Eneh, who staged her kidnapping to defraud her brother of ₦3 million.
He added that the woman reportedly used the loan he gave her for her wedding expenses and then orchestrated the fake abduction to extract more money.
Other key achievements highlighted by the command include, the arrest of suspected cultists in Abraka and Jesse, with several locally made pistols recovered, the recovery of ₦5 million ransom from another kidnap suspect in Ogwashi-Ukwu, death of six suspected kidnappers following a shootout with police, along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway and arrest of two female drug dealers in Jesse and Ughelli, with large quantities of tramadol, codeine, swinol, and cannabis seized.
Olufemi said a total of 18 firearms, including cut-to-size guns and Beretta pistols, were recovered during the month, along with 359 rounds of ammunition and 378 devices used in cybercrime.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police, providing hotlines for emergency contacts.
“We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure Delta State remains uninhabitable for criminals,” the police chief said.
