The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnap victim, arrested eight suspected armed robbers and cultists, and recovered three firearms, 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp in separate operations across the state.
The operations, conducted between October 20 and 23, 2026, also led to the recovery of suspected illicit drugs and the arrest of two men aged 62 and 56 in Ekuku-Agbor community, Ika South Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
According to the statement, operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Division, working with local volunteer groups, rescued the 23-year-old victim on October 20, a day after he was allegedly abducted at Owa-Alero.
The victim was reportedly seized in front of his residence by two suspected kidnappers and dragged into a nearby bush.
Edafe said the police commenced an intensive search of the surrounding bushes after the victim’s brother reported the incident, leading to his rescue the following day.
He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation on October 23, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) raided a hotel in Abraka suspected to be a hideout for drug-related activities.
The operation, carried out following credible intelligence, led to the arrest of six suspected cultists and the recovery of a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police spokesperson said some individuals fled upon sighting the operatives, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership and source of the recovered firearm and identify other persons connected with the incident.
In another operation, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Sector III, Ubuluku, arrested a 62-year-old man, Richard Nmorsi, at Ekuku-Agbor community, Ika South Local Government Area, on October 21.
Edafe said the operatives raided Nmorsi’s residence based on credible intelligence and conducted a search with a duly obtained warrant.
The search reportedly led to the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, 24 live cartridges and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspect was arrested, while the recovered items were taken into police custody for further investigation.
Similarly, on October 23, operatives of the same unit arrested a 56-year-old man, Amechi Osemeke, at Ekuku-Agbor community.
According to the statement, the police recovered a serviceable double-barrel firearm and one live cartridge from Osemeke’s residence during a search conducted with a duly obtained warrant.
The police said the suspect was arrested as investigations continued to determine the circumstances surrounding his possession of the firearm.
Reacting to the developments, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, reiterated the command’s commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations against criminal networks across the state.
Erale said the command would continue to target criminal hideouts, recover illegally possessed firearms and strengthen efforts to protect lives and property.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police to support ongoing crime-prevention and security operations.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety and security of communities across Delta State.
