DELTA POLICE COMMAND RECORDS MAJOR BREAKTHROUGHS IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

By Diafa Doubra,

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, has announced a series of major achievements recorded by the Command in its continued fight against crime and criminality across the state.

Speaking during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Asaba, the CP commended officers and men of the Command for their resilience, strategic intelligence operations, and swift response to distress calls, which have led to the arrest of several suspects, recovery of arms and ammunition, as well as the rescue of kidnap victims.

According to CP Abaniwonda, the Command’s intelligence-led operations, particularly in the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and illicit drug trafficking, have yielded impressive results between September and early October 2025.

Among the major successes highlighted, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) recorded a major breakthrough with the death of two suspected kidnappers and recovery of an AK-47 rifle, magazines, 43 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action gun, and a locally made pistol. The suspects were arrested in Rivers and Imo States before leading the police to their hideout in Ughelli North LGA, where a gun duel ensued. Two policemen sustained injuries during the encounter, while the suspects died from gunshot wounds.

In another operation, the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad rescued a kidnap victim in Ogwashi-Uku and recovered the victim’s Toyota Venza SUV, a network jammer, and other exhibits. The CP disclosed that the suspects identified as Chukwuebuka Nka, aged 25 and Uche Okechukwu were apprehended after collecting a ₦2 million ransom from the victim.

The CP also revealed that the Command intercepted a truck loaded with a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs in collaboration with the office of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking. The truck driver, identified as 52-year-old Dennis Uruma from Kogi State, was arrested, and investigations are ongoing.

In another successful joint operation with Operation Delta Sweep, two suspected kidnappers were neutralized in Boji-Boji Owa, with the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 40 rounds of live ammunition.

Similarly, the Command’s sustained crackdown on a criminal syndicate responsible for breaking into churches at night has paid off. On September 16, operatives intercepted a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna van in Ogwashi-Uku, arresting two suspects Emmanuel Emiowor age 21 and Noah Philip age 20) both from Warri. The police recovered multiple locally made guns, a pump-action gun, a revolver, and an iron rod used in breaking church doors. Several stolen musical instruments were also recovered.

Other notable achievements include the arrest of 12 suspected cultists in Jesse, recovery of firearms including a Beretta pistol and live ammunition, and multiple arrests of armed robbers across Asaba, Ibusa, and Ogwashi-Uku, with the recovery of fabricated pistols, shotguns, and ammunition.

One of the highlights of the briefing was the rescue of a kidnapped girl, Rebecca Mathew**, from Niger State. The victim was found in Oza-Nogogo community, where she was being held by one Bila Halili, who allegedly hypnotized and abducted her from her home in Bodinga, Niger State. The suspect has been arrested, and the victim reunited with her family.

In total, the Command recorded the following results within the review period:

* 16 firearms recovered
* 94 rounds of ammunition and cartridges recovered
* One truck loaded with illicit drugs seized
* 95 suspects arrested

While commending officers for their dedication, CP Abaniwonda assured residents that the Delta State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the state.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or persons to the police via the control room number 08036684974, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to effective policing.

“Our mission is clear, to make Delta State unsafe for criminals. We will continue to intensify our operations, collaborate with sister security agencies, and engage communities in proactive policing,” CP Abaniwonda affirmed.

The Commissioner concluded by reaffirming the Command’s resolve to sustain the current momentum in ridding the state of criminal elements.