Delta Police busts kidnapping syndicate, victims rescued, five suspects arrested

…Tackles drug trafficking in Asaba

Delta State Police command has said that it has continued to record breakthrough in crime fighting with busting of a kidnapping syndicate.

The kidnapping incident that occurred on 1 February 2026 at about 2000hrs, along the Warri–Sapele Road by Adeje Community has the rescue of victims, arrest of key members of a notorious syndicate, and recovery of firearms.

The incident was reported on February 4, 2026 at about 1700hrs, following the abduction of a group of travellers who were ambushed by armed hoodlums.

The assailants, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, forcefully took the victims into the bush.

Two of the victims managed to escape and promptly raised alarm, triggering a coordinated response involving the Delta Police, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilantes. Sustained pressure from the joint security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the remaining victims, who were subsequently rescued unhurt.

Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, operatives of Orerokpe Division arrested one Dafiaga Timothy (male) on the same day, February 4, 2026, while attempting to withdraw money using one of the victim’s ATM cards at a POS point in Adeje Community. The DPO Orerokpe Division was directed to transfer the case to CP-Special Assignment Team for discreet and further investigation.

Following sustained interrogation and technically generated intelligence, on March 31, 2026 at about 1600hrs, operatives arrested additional members of the syndicate, including Samuel Omonigho (male), 31 years, in Kokori Community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, and Henry Christmas (male), 22 years, in Adeje Community, Okpe Local Government Area.

The command said further breakthrough were recorded on April 5, 2026 at about 1445hrs, when operatives arrested two more members of the syndicate, namely Ovo Wilson Junior (male), also known as “Sheboy”, 24 years, in Mereje Community, Okpe Local Government Area, and Emakpo Ubiaro Abel (male), 36 years, in Ughwagba Community, Okpe Local Government Area. Investigation revealed that Emakpo Ubiaro Abel is a tricycle rider who conveys the gang members to and from their operational locations.

Furthermore, on April 13, 2026 at about 0535hrs, operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team, acting on information obtained during interrogation, carried out a follow-up operation at a hideout located at Oka Junction, Agbarho, and a thorough search led to the recovery of one fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition and one locally made gun with seven live cartridges.

The syndicate has been linked to series of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across Warri, Sapele, Agbarho, Ughelli, and adjoining areas.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the synergy between security agencies and the vigilance of community members which contributed to the success of the operations.

Meanwhile, the command said she has intensified security operations along key waterways in Asaba, deploying a joint marine patrol aimed at curbing kidnapping, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities in the riverine corridors.

The operation, which covered strategic areas from the Second Niger Bridge axis to the Asaba Grand Hotel vicinity, involved a coordinated effort between marine operatives from the Delta and Anambra State Police Commands.

The team was further reinforced by personnel of the Buffalo Team under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.

Authorities say the move is part of a broader, intelligence-driven strategy to address emerging security threats and strengthen public safety across the state.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, emphasized the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, noting that the waterways remain a critical focus in the fight against organised crime.

“This operation demonstrates our resolve to proactively police all vulnerable areas, including our waterways, which have recently become routes for criminal activities. We are determined to deny criminals any safe haven,” the CP stated.

The Command emphasised that all officers involved in the exercise adhered strictly to safety and professional standards, with personnel fully equipped with life jackets throughout the patrol. The operation, according to the police, was executed successfully without any incident.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and collaborate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid ongoing operations. “Security is a collective responsibility. We encourage members of the public to continue supporting the Police with useful information to enhance our effectiveness,” Oyeniyi added.

The renewed waterway patrol signals a strategic shift by the Command to tighten surveillance beyond conventional road networks, targeting criminal elements exploiting river routes within the Asaba axis.