The police in Delta State have successfully rescued a kidnapped woman and arrested five suspects in separate operations within the state. According to the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, the operations yielded significant results, including the recovery of several items. A 25-year-old woman was rescued from captivity at Usiefrun Community, and a 29-year-old man, Brotugbare Onome, was arrested in connection with the incident. The police also recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol, a magazine, and two rounds of live ammunition from the premises where the woman was held.
The rescue operation was carried out on Saturday, following intelligence shared by the Divisional Police Officer of the Ovwian-Aladja Division. The police have not disclosed further details about the kidnapping incident, but it is clear that swift action was taken to secure the victim's release. The arrested suspect, Onome, is currently in custody assisting with the investigation. The police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and the involvement of other potential suspects.
In a separate incident, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested two suspected cultists over the alleged killing of a 25-year-old man, Godfrey. The police said Godfrey was allegedly killed at Jesse Main Market in Ethiope West Local Government Area on March 24. The arrests followed intelligence allegedly obtained from a viral video showing suspected cultists celebrating the killing. The VCRU operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in Oghara on October 1, leading to the arrest of Ezekiel Izomor, 23, and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, 23.
The police recovered a battle axe, four cutlasses, and a hammer during the operation. Preliminary investigation indicated that a suspect identified as Collins allegedly wanted to become the leader of the Aro Bagger confraternity and believed that killing a rival cult member would help him secure the leadership position. Collins allegedly connived with Izomor, Ogaganefe, and another suspect identified as Richman, who was a close friend of the deceased. Richman and Collins are currently at large, but efforts to arrest them are underway.
In another separate incident, the police arrested two men over an alleged plot to kidnap a woman in Abraka. The police identified the suspects as Endurance Akpade, 37, and Edwin Morgan, 43. The suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with the investigation. The latest operations come amid increased police action against cultism and drug-related crimes in Delta State. The command recently announced the arrest of a suspected drug peddler and the recovery of illicit drugs in another operation.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Samuel Erale, commended the officers involved in the operations. He urged residents to provide credible and timely information to the police to assist efforts against kidnapping, cultism, and other violent crimes. Mr. Erale also warned youths against cultism, saying the practice could destroy their future. The police are working to strengthen community policing and enhance intelligence gathering to tackle the rising cases of cultism and kidnapping in the state.
The Delta State police command is intensifying efforts to combat crime and restore peace in the state. The recent operations demonstrate the commitment of the police to take decisive action against criminal elements. The police are urging the public to cooperate and provide information that can help them prevent and investigate crimes. The command is also working to address the root causes of cultism and kidnapping, including poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.
Key points
- The police in Delta State rescued a kidnapped woman and arrested five suspects in separate operations.
- The operations led to the recovery of several items, including a fabricated Beretta pistol and a battle axe.
- The police are working to strengthen community policing and enhance intelligence gathering to tackle the rising cases of cultism and kidnapping in the state.
