The Delta State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, murder, and drug trafficking, arresting 85 suspects and rescuing 18 kidnapped victims between April 29 and June 29, 2026.
Speaking during the Command’s second-quarter press briefing in Asaba on Monday, Commissioner of Police, **Yemi Oyeniyi**, said the achievements were the result of intensified intelligence-led policing, strategic deployment of personnel, sustained raids on criminal hideouts, enhanced stop-and-search operations, and improved intelligence gathering across the state.
According to the police chief, the Command’s anti-kidnapping operations yielded significant successes, including the arrest of a suspected kidnap kingpin, Shehu Malami, in Ughelli on April 29. Following his arrest, operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle and 63 rounds of live ammunition from his hideout in Agbarha-Otor. Investigations revealed that the suspect was linked to several kidnapping incidents across Ughelli, Agbarho, Sapele, Warri, and neighbouring communities.
In another operation, police operatives working with local vigilantes arrested two suspected kidnappers, identified as Iliyasu Hassan, 16, and Idris Abdulkarim, 32, after they emerged from a forest hideout to purchase food and medication. The suspects were linked to a failed kidnapping attempt and were later identified by a previous victim.
The State Anti-Kidnapping Unit also recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with five rounds of live ammunition during a raid on a suspected kidnappers’ camp in the Ubulu-Okiti forest. The suspects reportedly fled after engaging police operatives in a gun battle.
The Command further recorded a breakthrough in the rescue of a three-year-old child allegedly abducted by a commercial motorcyclist entrusted with conveying the child to and from school. Acting on a complaint by the child’s father, operatives traced and arrested the suspect, Kelvin Ogaga, who had allegedly demanded a ransom of N500,000. The child was rescued unharmed, while part of the ransom money was recovered.
Murder Cases
The police also disclosed progress in the investigation of two high-profile murder cases.
One involved the killing of 21-year-old Habibatu Aruwa, a final-year law student of the University of Port Harcourt, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend, Adedamola Michael Oyewole, in Warri following a domestic dispute. The suspect has been arrested and remains in police custody.
The Command also provided an update on the murder of Bishop Chinedu Okonkwo in Ibusa. Police said the bishop’s driver, who allegedly committed the crime and fled the state, was arrested by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command while attempting to sell the victim’s vehicle. Investigations further revealed the suspect had previously absconded with a company vehicle in Rivers State. He has since been charged to court.
Crackdown on Cultism and Illegal Arms
As part of efforts to curb cult-related violence, operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit arrested two suspected cultists in Ibusa and recovered a pump-action gun, live cartridges, charms, and suspected illicit drugs.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, police recovered an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol, and six rounds of live ammunition concealed in a bush near the Customs Checkpoint along the Benin-Asaba Expressway.
The Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) also arrested 25 suspected cultists during a raid on a suspected cult initiation ground in Agbarho. Recovered exhibits included a pump-action shotgun and a cut-to-size firearm.
Earlier, on April 27, operatives raided a notorious criminal hideout known as Best Lodge in Oko Community, arresting 14 suspected armed robbers and cultists. Recovered items included a locally made firearm, live cartridges, dangerous weapons, suspected Indian hemp, mobile phones, and cash.
Drug Trafficking Operations
The Command also intensified its crackdown on illicit drug distribution networks.
Operatives of the VCRU arrested two suspected drug dealers in Amukpe, Sapele, and recovered a large quantity of controlled substances, including Tramadol, Codeine, MDMA, Swinol, Vagadine, Zaza, Red Boy, Taker, and other narcotics believed to be intended for distribution within the area.
Crime Statistics
Providing a summary of the Command’s achievements during the review period, the Commissioner disclosed that police arrested:
- Four kidnapping suspects
- Five murder suspects
- Seventy-six cultism suspects
- Seven drug-related suspects
Of the cultism suspects arrested, 46 have been charged to court while 30 remain under investigation. Five drug suspects have also been prosecuted.
In total, the Command arrested 85 suspects and rescued 18 kidnapped victims.
Police also recovered 32 firearms, including three AK-47 rifles, four pump-action guns, two Beretta pistols, several locally fabricated firearms, and a total of 416 rounds of ammunition comprising 197 AK-47 rounds and 219 live cartridges.
Additionally, large quantities of illicit drugs and controlled substances were seized, including Tramadol, Codeine, Rohypnol, MDMA, Cannabis, Monkey Tail, Nitrous Oxide, Tianeptine (Zaza), and psychoactive chewing gum.
CP Oyeniyi assured residents that the Command remains committed to making Delta State unsafe for criminals while ensuring the security of law-abiding citizens.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that effective policing requires collective responsibility.
