The Delta State Police Command has successfully rescued a 25-year-old woman who was allegedly assaulted and held hostage in the Usiefrun community. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, operatives from the Otu-Jeremi Police Division acted on credible intelligence from the Ovwian-Aladja Division to mobilize to the scene on October 3, 2026, at about 8:30 am. The swift operation led to the rescue of the woman and the arrest of a 29-year-old suspect, identified as Brotugbare Francis Onome.
During the search of the premises, operatives recovered a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine, and two rounds of live ammunition. This significant seizure highlights the police's efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit firearms in the region. The arrested suspect, Brotugbare Francis Onome, is currently in police custody, assisting with investigations into the kidnapping and assault of the 25-year-old woman.
In a separate operation, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested two suspected cultists, Ezekiel Sunday Izomor, 23, and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, 23, in connection with the murder of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey. The suspects were apprehended on October 1 at a suspected criminal hideout in Oghara, following intelligence gathered from a viral video allegedly showing suspected cultists celebrating the killing.
The victim, Godfrey, was reportedly murdered at Jesse Main Market, Ethiope West Local Government Area, on March 24, 2026. The police recovered one battle axe, four cutlasses, and a hammer during the operation. Preliminary investigations indicate that a fleeing suspect, Collins, allegedly aspiring to become the leader of the Aro Bagger confraternity, conspired with the two arrested suspects and another suspect, Richman, to commit the murder.
Collins and Richman are currently at large, while the police said efforts to apprehend them are ongoing. The Delta State Police Command remains committed to tackling the menace of cultism and kidnapping in the region. The command's efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the cult groups are ongoing.
Furthermore, operatives of the Abraka Police Division, in collaboration with civilian anti-cult operatives, arrested two men, Endurance Akpade, 37, and Edwin Friday Morgan, 43, over an alleged plot to kidnap a woman. The suspects were arrested after the division received a report of an alleged kidnap conspiracy on October 1. The two suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with the investigation.
The Delta State Police Command has assured the public that investigations into the cases are ongoing. The command's proactive measures and successful operations have demonstrated its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region. The police have urged the public to continue providing credible intelligence to aid their efforts in curbing crime.
Key points
- The Delta State Police Command rescued a 25-year-old woman and arrested five suspects in separate operations linked to kidnapping, cultism, and murder.
- The police recovered a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine, and two rounds of live ammunition during the operations.
- The command's efforts to apprehend fleeing suspects and dismantle cult groups are ongoing.
