Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in the investigation of a brazen kidnapping that took place along the Warri–Sapele Road by Adeje Community on 1 February 2026.
According to a statement released on Friday, 17 April 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Bright Edafe, a group of travellers was ambushed by armed hoodlums at approximately 2000hrs.
The assailants, wielding guns and other dangerous weapons, forced the victims into the bush.
Two of the victims managed to escape and raised the alarm, prompting a swift joint response involving the Police, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilantes. Sustained pressure from the security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the remaining captives, who were all rescued unharmed.
The first major lead emerged on 4 February 2026 when operatives of the Orerokpe Division arrested one Dafiaga Timothy (male) as he attempted to withdraw money using a victim’s ATM card at a Point of Sale (POS) terminal in Adeje Community.
The case was subsequently transferred to the CP-Special Assignment Team for discreet investigation.
Following sustained interrogation and technically generated intelligence, on 31 March 2026, officers arrested two additional members of the syndicate: Samuel Omonigho (male), 31, of Kokori Community, and Henry Christmas (male), 22, of Adeje Community.
Further breakthroughs came on 5 April 2026 with the arrest of Ovo Wilson Junior (male), alias “Sheboy”, 24, of Mereje Community, and Emakpo Ubiaro Abel (male), 36, of Ughwagba Community.
Investigations revealed that Emakpo Ubiaro Abel worked as a tricycle rider, ferrying gang members to and from their operational locations.
The final operation took place on 13 April 2026 at about 0535hrs, when the CP-Special Assignment Team raided a hideout at Oka Junction, Agbarho.
A thorough search led to the recovery of one fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition, alongside one locally made gun with seven live cartridges.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, psc, acipm, mnips, commended the synergy between security agencies and the vigilance of community members, noting that the syndicate has been linked to a series of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across Warri, Sapele, Agbarho, Ughelli, and adjoining areas.
