Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Police Command has announced fresh breakthroughs in its war on violent crime, rescuing a kidnapped woman and arresting five suspects in separate kidnapping and cult-related murder operations. One locally-fabricated Beretta pistol, a magazine and two rounds of live ammunition were also recovered.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the developments in a statement on Sunday, saying the successes followed swift, intelligence-led operations across the state.
Hostage Freed in Otu-Jeremi, Suspect in Custody
On 3rd October 2026, at about 0830hrs, the DPO of Otu-Jeremi Division acted on credible intelligence shared by his counterpart at Ovwian-Aladja Division and mobilised operatives to Usiefrun Community, where a 25-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and held hostage.
The victim was rescued, while the prime suspect, identified as Brotugbare Francis Onome, 29, was arrested.
A search of the premises yielded one locally-fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition. Investigation is ongoing.
Cult Murder: Two Nabbed After Viral Celebration Video
On 1st October 2026, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on intelligence gleaned from a viral video showing suspected cultists celebrating the murder of a fellow suspected cultist, stormed a criminal hideout in Oghara and arrested two suspects.
Ezekiel Sunday Izomor, 23, and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, 23, were arrested over the cult-related killing of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey at Jesse Main Market, Ethiope West LGA, on 24th March 2026.
Recovered during the raid were one battle axe, four cutlasses and one hammer.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a fleeing suspect identified as Collins was vying to become the number one man in the Aro Bagger confraternity and needed to murder a rival cult member to achieve his ambition.
Collins allegedly connived with the two suspects and one Richman, a close friend of the victim, Godfrey. Richman and Collins remain at large, but police say efforts to arrest them are in top gear. The arrested suspects are assisting with investigation.
Abraka Kidnap Plot Foiled
On 1st October 2026, at about 1730hrs, Abraka Division received a report of an alleged conspiracy to kidnap a woman in Abraka.
Following credible intelligence, Endurance Akpade, 37, and Edwin Friday Morgan, 43, were apprehended by operatives of Abraka Division alongside members of civilian anti-cult operatives and taken into police custody. They are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
CP Erale Hails Operatives, Warns Youths
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, 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, while urging members of the public to keep providing credible and timely information to the Police.
The CP also admonished youths to steer clear of cultism, noting that it is a catalyst that will destroy their future.
