In a press briefing recently held at the Delta state Police Command Asaba, Commissioner of Police CP Yemi Oyeniyi. psc, acipm, mnips. Reeled Out achievements of the Command for the second quarter:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,
I warmly welcome you to this Press Briefing and sincerely appreciate your continued partnership with the Delta State Police Command.
The Command has continued to intensify intelligence-led and proactive policing strategies aimed at combating kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking and other violent crimes across the State. Through strategic deployment of personnel and operational assets, sustained raids on criminal hideouts, enhanced stop-and-search operations, and improved intelligence gathering, the command has recorded significant successes in the fight against crime during the period under review.
Today, I will be presenting some of the major achievements recorded.
A. KIDNAPPING AND ANTI-KIDNAPPING OPERATIONS
1. ARREST OF A SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER AND RECOVERY OF ONE AK-47 RIFLE WITH SIXTY-THREE ROUNDS OF LIVE AMMUNITION: On 29 April 2026, operatives of the Command acting on credible intelligence arrested a suspected kidnapper, Shehu Malami, aged 45 years, at Ogor Market, Ughelli. Following his arrest, the suspect led operatives to his hideout in Agbarha-Otor where one AK-47 rifle and sixty-three rounds of live ammunition were recovered. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a member of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for series of kidnapping operations within Ughelli, Agbarho, Sapele, Warri and neighbouring communities. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
2. POLICE ARREST TWO SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS AS THEY EMERGE FROM FOREST TO BUY FOOD: in a combine effort with vigilante groups, the DPO ‘A’ Ughelli acting on credible information arrested two suspected kidnappers in connection with a failed kidnapping attempt. The incident occurred on 19th June 2026, the suspect later identified as Iliyasu Hassan 16yrs old and Idris Abdulkarim aged 32yrs, were arrested on 22nd June 2026 at about 2030hours, after emerging from a nearby forest to purchase food and medication. Following their arrest, the victims of an earlier kidnapping incident identified the suspect as part of those who attempted to kidnap him. Effort to arrest other members of the gang is ongoing.
3. RECOVERY OF ONE (1) AK-47 RIFLE AND FIVE (5) ROUNDS OF LIVE AMMUNITION FROM A SUSPECTED KIDNAPPING SYNDICATE: Acting on intelligence gathered during investigations into recent kidnapping incidents within Ubuluku, Ubulu-Okiti, Issele-Uku and adjoining communities, operatives of the State Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU) on 18th of May 2026, trailed suspected kidnappers to their hideout within the Ubulu-Okiti forest. Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects attacked them in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives responded professionally, forcing the criminals to flee. During the operation, one AK-47 rifle loaded with five rounds of live ammunition and other incriminating items were recovered.
4. RESCUE OF A KIDNAPPED CHILD AND ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER: In another significant breakthrough, operatives of the Command Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS), at Ughelli, on 18th May 2026, successfully rescued a three-year-old child who had been abducted by a commercial motorcyclist entrusted with taking the child to and from school. Following a complaint from the child’s father, technical intelligence assets were deployed; operatives traced and arrested the suspect, one Kelvin Ogaga, ‘m’, who had demanded a ransom of Five Hundred Thousand Naira from the victim’s family. Upon his arrest, the sum of One Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand Naira, being part of the ransom money, was recovered. The child was rescued unharmed and reunited with the family.
B. MURDER
5. MURDER OF FINAL YEAR LAW STUDENT
On the 24/06/2026 at about 0740hrs, the DPO ‘B’ Division Warri, received a distress call from a man (name withheld) that his tenant occupying a self-contain apartment murdered his girlfriend, identified as Habibatu Aruwa aged 21yrs and a final year law undergraduate of University of Port-harcourt. On receipt of the information, the DPO led detectives to the scene where the victim was seen in a pool of her blood. She was taken to the hospital and was confirmed dead on arrival. The suspect, one Adedamola Michael Oyewole, ‘m’ age 31yrs was arrested. The suspect stated that their argument started when the deceased found out that he is married to a woman based in the United State of America. And in the process of the argument, he stabbed her on the neck, stomach and her thighs. Suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
6. MURDER OF BISHOP CHINEDU OKONKWO: Following the murder of one Bishop Chinedu Okonkwo on 12th May 2026 at Ibusa, in oshimili North LGA allegedly by his driver. The driver fled the state immediately after committing the dastardly act. On 13th of may 2026, operatives of Anambra state Police command arrested the suspect at Akwuzo when he attempted to sell the Land Cruiser Jeep belonging to the bishop. Anambra State Police command carried preliminary investigation and handed over the suspect to Delta State Police command. Further investigation revealed that the suspect before carrying out this act was earlier employed by a company in River state. While working there, he made away with their vehicle, a 2016 Model Toyota Corolla, sold it and disappeared. The suspects has been charged to court for the case of suspected murder.
C. INTELLIGENCE LED FIREARMS RECOVERIES
7. POLICE ARRESTS SUSPECTED CULTISTS, RECOVERS FIREARMS AND ILLICIT DRUGS: Operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU), acting on credible intelligence, on 19 June 2026 at about 2345hrs, carried out a coordinated operation at a suspected criminal hideout in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area. The operation led to the arrest of two suspected cultists identified as Okonkwo Prosper (26) of Aniofu, Aniocha North Local Government Area, and Tuesday Emmanuel (25) of the same address. A search conducted during the operation resulted in the recovery of one English pump-action gun loaded with five live cartridges, one cutlass, charms, and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
8. RECOVERY OF ONE AK-47 RIFLE, ONE BERETTA PISTOL AND SIX ROUNDS OF LIVE AMMUNITION: On 2 May 2026, acting on credible intelligence, the command operatives in a combined operation, acting on credible intelligence went into a bush near the Customs Checkpoint along the Benin-Asaba Expressway. A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one Beretta pistol and six rounds of live ammunition. The recovery prevented the weapons from being deployed for criminal activities and further underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing.
9. VCRU ARRESTS TWENTY-FIVE SUSPECTED CULTISTS; RECOVERS ONE PUMP-ACTION SHOTGUN AND ONE CUT-TO-SIZE GUN: Acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of 16 June 2026, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) stormed a suspected cult initiation ground at Agbarho following reports that members of the Eiye Confraternity linked to recent cult-related killings were planning further acts of violence and the initiation of new members. Upon arrival, the operatives came under attack from some of the suspects. The police team responded professionally, during which two suspects sustained gunshot injuries. The operation resulted in the arrest of twenty-five suspects, while several others fled the scene. Recovered exhibits include one pump-action shotgun and one cut-to-size firearm. Investigation is ongoing.
10. RAID OF CRIMINAL HIDEOUT AND ARREST OF FOURTEEN SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS/CULTISTS: On 27 April 2026, operatives of the command raided a notorious criminal hideout popularly known as Best Lodge in Oko Community. The operation resulted in the arrest of fourteen suspects, comprising thirteen males and one female. Recovered exhibits include one locally made firearm, three live cartridges, dangerous weapons, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, mobile phones and cash. Investigation is ongoing to establish the individual roles of the suspects in various criminal activities within the area.
C. DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ARREST OF SUSPECTS
11. VCRU ARRESTS TWO SUSPECTED DRUG DEALERS AND RECOVERS LARGE QUANTITY OF ILLICIT DRUGS: Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) carried out a targeted operation at a drug distribution point in Amukpe, Sapele, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, Onyedikachi, aged 40 years, and Edna Karaki, aged 36 years. Recovered exhibits include Tramadol, CSC Codeine, MDMA, Swinol, Vagadine, Red Boy, Zaza, Taker and other controlled substances. Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects were actively involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs within the area.
CONCLUSION
The achievements highlighted above represent only a fraction of the successes recorded by the Delta State Police Command within the period under review. Beyond the major operations presented, the Command also recorded several breakthroughs involving the arrest of suspected armed robbers, cultists, drug traffickers and other criminal elements, as well as the recovery of firearms, ammunition, illicit drugs and stolen property across the State.
Cumulatively, from all operations conducted during the period, the Command recovered:
SUSPECTS ARRESTED
KIDNAPPING: 4
RESCUED VICTIMS: 18
MURDER: 5
CULTISM: 76
CULTISM SUSPECTS CHARGED TO COURT : 46,
CULTISM SUSPECTS UNDER INVESTIGATION : 30
DRUGS SUSPECTS: 7, DRUG SUSPECT CHARGED TO COURT 5
TOTAL NUMBER OF SUSPECTS: 85
FIREARMS RECOVERED:
• Three (3) AK-47 Rifles
• Four (4) Pump-Action Guns
• Two (2) Beretta Pistols
• Two (2) Locally Made Revolver Pistols
• Three (3) Locally Made Cut-to-Size Firearms
• Seventeen (17) Locally Made Single-Barrel Gun
• One (1) Double-Barrel Locally Made Pistol
Total Firearms Recovered: Thirty-two (32)
AMMUNITION RECOVERED:
• One hundred and Ninety-seven (197) Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition
• Two Hundred and Nineteen (219) Live Cartridges
DRUGS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES RECOVERED:
• Tramadol
• CSC Codeine
• Rohypnol
• Swinol
• MDMA (Molly)
• Canadian Loud
• Indian Hemp/Cannabis
• Monkey Tail
• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
• Tianeptine (Zaza)
• Psychoactive Chewing Gum (“Highness Gum”)
Let me assure all residents that the Delta State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to make Delta State hostile to criminals and safe for law-abiding citizens. We encourage members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, as security remains a collective responsibility.
Thank you and God bless Delta State.
