Delta Police Foil Kidnap Plot, Recover AK-47 as One Suspect is Killed Multiple Cultists, Armed Robbers Arrested in Fresh Crackdowns

By Diafa Doubra, Warri.

The Delta State Police Command has recorded a string of major breakthroughs in its ongoing war against violent crime, including the death of a suspected kidnapper during a gun duel, the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, and the arrest of several cult and robbery suspects across the state. Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, praised the operatives for their courage and thanked residents for continuing to trust the police with vital intelligence.

The most intense operation unfolded in the early hours of December 1, 2025, when operatives of the State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), working alongside community volunteers, stormed the Obiaruku forest following intelligence that a kidnap gang was mobilising for an attack. The suspects opened fire from multiple positions as officers advanced. The operatives responded with what the command described as “superior firepower,” killing one of the suspects, while others escaped with injuries. Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, forty-two rounds of live ammunition, nine mobile phones, and various charms believed to belong to the fleeing gang members.

In a separate series of coordinated offensives, the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, arrested several armed robbery and cult suspects between November 28 and 29. Acting on intelligence around the Ekuigbo axis in Ughelli, operatives arrested 42-year-old Kelvin Oke with a stolen tricycle. Follow-up operations led to the arrest of two additional suspects—26-year-old gang leader Victor Oyaye of Otor-Ogor community and 31-year-old Monday Emakpo of Okpara community. Officers also recovered a second stolen tricycle and a locally made shotgun loaded with six live cartridges. The crackdown extended to Oghara the following day, where the team raided the residence of 28-year-old Jeffery Saint. A thorough search of the house led to the recovery of a locally fabricated Beretta pistol and fifteen rounds of live ammunition.

Another major arrest came on November 29, when operatives of the Eagle Net Special Squad, led by SP Danyaya Inusa, intercepted a fleeing suspect during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Asaba–Benin Expressway. The suspect, later identified as 28-year-old Ezekiel Edeya from Isoko North LGA, attempted to escape but was quickly overpowered. A red handbag he tried to discard was found to contain a locally fabricated pistol, three live cartridges, an iron plier, and a screwdriver. Police say he is currently in custody as investigations continue.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining the offensive against criminal networks across Delta State. He also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible intelligence to support policing efforts.