EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, Warri
The Delta State Police Command has killed one suspected kidnapper, arrested 627 suspects and recovered 144 firearms alongside 6,930 rounds of ammunition in sustained security operations across the state between January 2025 and mid-December.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, disclosed these figures on Monday in Asaba while briefing journalists on the Command’s operational achievements, noting that the successes were recorded through proactive, intelligence-driven and community-centred policing.
According to the police boss, one suspected kidnapper was neutralised on 1 December 2025 during a gun battle with operatives of the State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) in the Obiaruku forest, following credible intelligence.
He said the suspect opened fire alongside others who later fled with gunshot injuries.
An AK-47 rifle, 42 rounds of live ammunition, nine mobile phones and charms were recovered at the scene.
CP Abaniwonda said the Command also made major arrests in connection with violent crimes, including the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu.
He revealed that two prime suspects were arrested on 6 December 2025 after investigations traced one of the victim’s stolen mobile phones to Ogbogonogo Market in Asaba.
One of the suspects, a security guard attached to the deceased’s residence, allegedly confessed to inviting accomplices to carry out the crime, while efforts are ongoing to arrest a third suspect still at large.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, the CP-Special Assignment Team arrested several suspected armed robbers and cultists across Abraka, Ughelli, Oghara and Sapele.
Items recovered included two pump-action guns, a locally made shotgun, a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, 60 rounds of live cartridges and ammunition, as well as two stolen tricycles.
The police also recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking with the arrest of 161 suspects during a raid on a notorious drug hideout in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.
The suspects comprised 110 males and 51 females.
Exhibits recovered included large quantities of “Nigeria Loud”, “Canadian Loud”, codeine, tramadol and other illicit substances.
Additional arrests were made on 13 December along the Asaba–Onitsha route, where 109 bottles of codeine and cartons of tramadol were intercepted.
Summarising the Command’s achievements, CP Abaniwonda said a total of 144 firearms were recovered during the period under review.
These included 27 AK-47/AK-49 rifles, 25 Beretta pistols, 56 single-barrel and locally fabricated guns, and 36 pump-action guns.
He added that N36 million in ransom was recovered, 18 kidnapped victims were rescued and 28 stolen vehicles were recovered.
On arrests, the Commissioner said the 627 suspects apprehended comprised 140 suspected armed robbers, 113 suspected kidnappers, 125 murder suspects, 187 suspected cultists and 62 suspects linked to rape and defilement cases.
CP Abaniwonda commended officers and men of the Command for their professionalism and sacrifice, as well as community stakeholders and the media for their support.
He assured residents that adequate security measures were in place to ensure a peaceful Yuletide season, urging the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police.
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