IN what can only be described as a sustained and strategic offensive, the Delta State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has delivered a decisive blow to criminal elements across the state.
The month of July 2025 marked a turning point, with a series of intelligence-driven operations dismantling gangs, foiling kidnapping plots, recovering millions in ransom, and clamping down on cybercrime and cult-related violence.
Bloodied Trails And Foiled Kidnappings
The most dramatic incident occurred on 30 July, when a joint operation between the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad and the Nigerian Army stormed the Ogwashi-Ukwu forest — a known criminal haven. A fierce gun battle ensued, leaving two suspected kidnappers dead. The operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, 39 rounds of live ammunition, and a hefty ransom sum of ₦3.5 million, believed to have been extorted from victims — two female polytechnic students abducted a week earlier.
In a separate bust on 12 July, operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper, Sanusi Abdulahi, in possession of ₦5 million in ransom money. His arrest led to the capture of four other gang members at a hideout in Second Deputy, bringing to light a syndicate linked to a string of abductions across Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, and surrounding communities.
Perhaps the most intricate of cases was that of a self-kidnap. On 21 July, a woman allegedly staged her own abduction to extort ₦3 million from her family, having previously squandered her brother’s wedding loan. Three suspects, including the mastermind — 27-year-old Merit Eneh — have been arrested.
Cult Crackdowns And Firearms Hauls
The command’s war on cultism yielded significant success. On 31 July, police foiled a planned attack on students at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. Two suspects, both 23 years old, were apprehended with six cut-to-size firearms and eight rounds of live cartridges. Their confessions linked them to the notorious Black Axe confraternity.
Elsewhere, the Rapid Response Squad nabbed three suspects at a hideout in Abraka, seizing a fabricated Beretta pistol and cult paraphernalia, while in Jesse Town, a 20-year-old identified as the second-in-command of the Eiye confraternity was arrested with a locally made pistol.
In total, 18 firearms and 359 rounds of ammunition and cartridges were recovered across operations in the month.
Cybercrime Sweep Nets 184 Suspects
A joint police-army raid on 21 July in Effurun led to the arrest of a staggering 184 internet fraud suspects. Spearheaded by intelligence reports, the operation uncovered 273 laptops, 97 smartphones, and other digital tools used in online scams. This marks one of the largest single-day cybercrime crackdowns in the state’s history.
Ritualists And Fortified Syndicates Exposed
The Command also pierced the veil of criminal mysticism. On 19 July, a 35-year-old herbalist from Kwale, Peter Benson, was arrested for preparing ritual fortification for a kidnapping gang. His confession led to the arrest of other gang members — including their leader, 42-year-old Owei Abebo a.k.a. “Adusa”. A cache of 247 rounds of SMG ammunition, ritual tortoises, and fetish items were seized in the course of the operation.
Deadly Gun Battles And Final Showdowns
Not all criminals were taken alive. On 9 July, six suspected kidnappers met their end during a violent confrontation with the CP-Special Assignment Team along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway. Though two others are still receiving treatment, police recovered four locally-made guns and 19 live cartridges from the group — notorious for terrorising Delta’s western corridor.
Drugs And Dealers: Women In The Web
In a strong show of force against drug distribution networks, police arrested multiple female suspects in separate sting operations. On 23 July, a 47-year-old woman was caught with quantities of tramadol, codeine, and Swinol in Jesse. Just a week later, on 30 July, another operation in Ughelli North LGA led to the arrest of three female suspects with large stocks of similar illicit drugs, including cannabis.
Summary of July Achievements
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Firearms Recovered: 18
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Ammunition and Cartridges: 359 rounds
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Total Ransom Recovered: ₦8,500,000
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Laptops and Mobile Devices Seized: 378
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Total Suspects Arrested: 211
