Rita Enemuru, Reporting
WARRI — Detectives in Delta State have rescued a three-year-old girl who was snatched by a trusted commercial motorcyclist entrusted with her daily school runs, arresting the suspect and recovering part of a N500,000 ransom.
The Delta State Police Command said on Thursday that Kelvin Ogaga, an okada rider, had been hired by the child’s family to ferry the toddler to and from school each day.
Instead, on 18 May 2026, he allegedly abducted the girl and demanded a five-hundred-thousand-naira ransom from her parents.
After negotiations, the family paid the full amount. But acting on technical intelligence, operatives from the Command Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS), Sector 2 in Ughelli, traced the suspect to his hideout.
He was arrested and officers recovered N127,000 in cash, believed to be the remaining portion of the ransom, along with valuables purchased with the crime proceeds and the motorcycle used in the abduction.
The child was rescued unharmed. Police say investigations are continuing.
Beretta Pistol Abandoned In Fleeing Suspect’s Bag
In a separate operation, the Department of Operations’ Buffalo Team was conducting routine patrols along the Power Line axis near Bonsaac when officers spotted a male carrying a black bag.
The suspect bolted on seeing the patrol team and escaped, but abandoned his luggage.
A search of the bag revealed one Beretta pistol and an iPhone. A manhunt is under way.
‘Aro Bagger’ Cultist Nabbed During Township Patrol
Meanwhile, officers from Ozoro Division, on township patrol along Omovutotu Street, intercepted a man identified as Michael Monday who tried to run when he saw the police.
A black handbag he was carrying yielded one locally made cut-to-size single-barrelled gun and one cartridge.
Preliminary inquiries suggest Monday belongs to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as “Aro Bagger”. He remains in custody.
Commissioner Praises Stop-and-search
The state Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their swift action and reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling cultism and violent crime.
“Stop-and-search duty remains a form of proactive policing which has resulted in the recovery of these two firearms,” Mr Oyeniyi said. He urged residents to report any suspicious persons or movements in their neighbourhoods to the police without delay.
