The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnap victim, arrested eight suspects and recovered three firearms, 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp in separate intelligence-led operations across the state between October 20 and 23, 2026.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Asaba on Saturday.
According to the statement, operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Division, working with local volunteer groups, rescued the 23-year-old man on October 20. He had been abducted a day earlier at Owa-Alero by two suspected kidnappers.
Police said the victim was seized in front of his residence and dragged into a nearby bush. After his brother reported the incident, operatives began an intensive search of the surrounding bushes, which led to his rescue the following day. Efforts, the Command said, are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors.
In a separate operation on October 23, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence, raided a hotel in Abraka suspected to be a hideout for drug-related activities.
Six suspected cultists were arrested, while a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp was recovered. Police said some individuals fled on sighting the operatives. Investigation is ongoing to establish the ownership and source of the firearm and to identify other persons connected with the incident.
On October 21, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Sector III, Ubuluku, raided the residence of Richard Nmorsi, 62, at Ekuku-Agbor Community in Ika South Local Government Area, acting on credible intelligence.
A search conducted with a duly obtained warrant led to the recovery of one locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, 24 live cartridges and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspect was arrested, and the exhibits were taken into custody for further investigation.
On October 23, SAKU operatives from the same Sector III, Ubuluku, raided the residence of Amechi Osemeke, 56, also at Ekuku-Agbor Community, Ika South LGA.
A search with a duly obtained warrant yielded one serviceable double-barrel firearm and one live cartridge. The suspect was arrested, and investigation is ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his possession of the weapon.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, reiterated that the Command would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, recovering illegally possessed firearms and safeguarding communities across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the Police, assuring them that no effort would be spared in ensuring their safety and security.
