Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Arrest Eight Suspects, Recover Firearms

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnapping victim and arrested eight suspects in separate operations across the state, recovering three firearms, 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The operations were carried out between October 20 and 23, 2026, as part of efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the developments in a statement on Saturday.

According to the police, operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Division, working alongside local volunteer groups, rescued a 23-year-old man who was abducted at Owa-Alero on October 19.

“On October 20, 2026, operatives of Owa-Oyibu Division, in collaboration with local volunteer groups, successfully rescued a 23-year-old man whom two suspected kidnappers abducted on October 19, 2026 at Owa-Alero,” the statement read in part.

“The victim was reportedly seized in front of his residence and dragged into a nearby bush,” it added.

The police explained that the rescue followed a report from the victim’s brother, which prompted operatives to launch an extensive search of nearby bushes. Efforts were still ongoing to arrest the suspected abductors who escaped.

Six Suspected Cultists Arrested In Abraka

In a separate operation on October 23, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit raided a hotel in Abraka suspected of serving as a hideout for drug-related activities.

Six suspected cultists were arrested during the operation, while a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp was recovered. Some individuals reportedly fled when they sighted the police.

The command said investigations were ongoing to determine the ownership and source of the firearm and identify other people connected to the incident.

Police Recover More Firearms In Ekuku-Agbor

The police also reported separate raids in Ekuku-Agbor community, Ika South Local Government Area, which led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of additional firearms and ammunition.

On October 21, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Sector III, Ubuluku, searched the residence of a 62-year-old suspect, Richard Nmorsi, under a search warrant.

The operation led to the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, 24 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspect was arrested, and the recovered items were taken into custody for investigation.

Two days later, the same unit searched the residence of a 56-year-old suspect, Amechi Osemeke, also in Ekuku-Agbor.

During the operation, officers recovered a functional double-barrel firearm and one live cartridge. Osemeke was arrested as investigations continued into his possession of the weapon.

Police Promise Sustained Crackdown

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel Erale, said the command would continue intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegal weapons and protect communities.

“The command would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, recovering illegally possessed firearms and safeguarding communities across the state,” he said.

Eralе urged residents to remain alert and provide credible information to security agencies to support efforts to prevent crime.

He assured the public that the command would continue working to protect lives and property across Delta State.