The Delta State Police Command has achieved a breakthrough in the fight against violent crime, rescuing a kidnapped victim and arresting five suspects in separate operations. On October 3, 2026, the Divisional Police Officer of Otu-Jeremi Division acted on credible intelligence to mobilize operatives to Usiefrun Community, where a 25-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and held hostage. The victim was rescued, and the main suspect, Brotugbare Francis Onome, was arrested.
During the operation, police recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine, and two rounds of live ammunition from the scene. The suspect, aged 29 years, is currently in custody assisting with the investigation. According to the Command's spokesperson, Bright Edafe, the police are working to gather more information on the case. The incident highlights the police's efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
In a separate incident on October 1, 2026, the Abraka Division received a report of an alleged conspiracy to kidnap a woman in the Abraka area of the state. Following credible intelligence, operatives arrested Endurance Akpade and Edwin Friday Morgan, aged 37 and 43 years respectively, alongside members of civilian anti-cult operatives. The suspects were taken into police custody and are currently assisting with the ongoing investigation.
The police also arrested two suspects, Ezekiel Sunday Izomor and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, aged 23 years each, in connection with a cult-related killing of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey at Jesse Main Market, Ethiope West LGA, on March 24, 2026. The arrest was made after a video of suspected cultists celebrating the murder went viral. One battle axe, four cutlasses, and one hammer were recovered during the operation.
According to the police, the suspects were part of a group involved in cult activities, and one of the fleeing suspects, Collins, was vying to be the number one man in Aro Bagger Confraternity. Collins allegedly conspired with the arrested suspects and Richman, a close friend of the victim, to murder a rival cult member. The police are working to apprehend Collins and Richman.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, has commended the operatives for their swift response and effective intelligence sharing. He reiterated the Command's commitment to intelligence-led policing and the fight against kidnapping, cultism, and other violent crimes. The police boss urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to the police.
Commissioner Erale also admonished youths to stay away from cultism, noting that it is a catalyst that can destroy their future. The police have been working to address the issue of cultism and kidnapping in the state, and the recent operations demonstrate their efforts to tackle these challenges. The arrested suspects are currently in custody, assisting with the investigation.
Key points
- The Delta State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped victim and arrested five suspects in separate operations involving kidnapping and cult-related murder.
- The police recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine, and two rounds of live ammunition from the scene of the kidnapping.
- The Commissioner of Police has urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to the police to help combat kidnapping and cultism.
