Delta Police In Dramatic Double Strike: Rescue Kidnapped Woman, Smash Major Drug Ring

IN a significant 24-hour offensive against criminality, the Delta State Police Command has announced the successful rescue of a kidnapped woman and the dismantling of a major drug trafficking operation, leading to the seizure of a vast quantity of illicit substances.

The swift actions, which took place on Tuesday, have been hailed by Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, who also issued a stern warning to youths on the dangers of drug abuse.

The first incident began in the early hours of 12th October, when armed men broke into a family’s home in the Ovwian Aladja area, attacking the occupants, robbing them, and abducting the wife.

Upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Ovian Aladja, CSP Friday Ekundayo, immediately mobilised his team. In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the operatives “trailed the kidnappers to a forest along Iyara community.”

Through what was described as “unrelenting effort,” the police team forced the kidnappers to abandon their victim and flee into the forest. The rescued woman was found unharmed and has since been reunited with her relieved family. A manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.

In a separate operation on the same day, operatives from the Crack Squad in Asaba struck a significant blow against the illicit drug trade.

Acting on credible intelligence, officers raided a hideout in the Effurun GRA area.

The operation led to the arrest of two suspected drug barons: Igwe Samson, 33, and Abalum Sunday, 39.

 A search of their Sienna vehicle uncovered a staggering haul of controlled pharmaceuticals, including 450 bottles of CSP codeine, 188 bottles of bargadine, over 300 sachets of various tramadol dosages, 300 sachets of swinol, 50 sachets of rophynol, and a large bag of substance suspected to be cannabis.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had been in the drug peddling business for approximately two years, sourcing their supplies from Onitsha and travelling at night to avoid detection.

While commending the gallantry of his officers, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda seized the moment to address a root cause of much criminal activity. He advised youths to desist from crime and drug abuse, which he described as a key driver of lawlessness.

“The CP cautions that drug abuse is detrimental to the health and well-being of abusers and hence should be avoided,” the press release stated.

The Command has confirmed that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing kidnappers as well as the suppliers and receivers in the drug network.