Delta Police Record 211 Arrests, Recover ₦8.5M Ransom, 18 Guns In One Month

The Delta State Police Command has released a powerful monthly scorecard, revealing an intense crackdown on crime in the month of July 2025. Under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, the command recorded 211 arrests, recovered ₦8.5 million in ransom, seized 18 firearms, 359 rounds of ammunition, and confiscated 378 electronic devices from suspected criminals across the state.

Speaking during a press briefing held in Asaba, CP Abaniwonda highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing, community collaboration, and joint operations with the Nigerian Army in making Delta State “a hot spot for criminals.”

One of the most significant operations by the Delta Police was conducted on July 30, when operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, alongside military personnel from the 63 Brigade, stormed the Ogwashi-Ukwu forest, a known criminal hideout. Two suspected kidnappers were killed in a fierce gun battle, and officers recovered ₦3.5 million in ransom, one AK-47 rifle, and 39 rounds of live ammunition.

Earlier, on July 27, another suspected kidnapper, Chiadiji Collins, alias Smooth, was arrested along Ibusa Road. His arrest led to the recovery of another AK-47 rifle and 40 rounds of ammunition. His accomplice, Ezechie Andrew, was later apprehended with two pump-action guns and live cartridges. Both are suspected of multiple kidnapping operations across Delta State.

In a major preemptive move, Delta Police foiled a planned abduction ring led by a notorious suspect known as Adusa. Acting on credible intelligence, officers arrested a spiritual collaborator, Peter Benson, whose arrest led to the capture of five others including Adusa himself. The team recovered 247 rounds of SMG ammunition, ritual materials, and arrested suspects linked to multiple planned attacks in Sapele and Oghara.

In another sweeping operation by the Delta Police, a total of 184 suspected internet fraudsters were arrested at Post Housing Estate, Effurun, on July 21. Officers seized 273 laptops, 97 smartphones, and other devices. The raid, carried out in conjunction with the Nigerian Army, is among the largest anti-cybercrime busts in recent state history.

Efforts to tackle cult-related violence yielded results on July 31, when Delta Police foiled a planned student attack at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Ukwu. Two suspects were caught with six cut-to-size guns and ammunition. Similarly, on July 20 and July 30, several cultists were arrested in Jesse and Abraka, and weapons including fabricated Beretta pistols and locally made guns were recovered.

In a shocking twist, Delta Police uncovered a self-kidnap plot involving a bride, Merit Eneh, who confessed to faking her own abduction to swindle her brother of ₦3 million. Investigations revealed she spent the original ₦3.6 million loan from her brother on wedding expenses and staged the kidnapping to replace the funds. Three suspects were arrested, and the illicitly obtained ransom was traced.

On July 23 and July 30, Delta Police apprehended two groups of female drug traffickers in Jesse and Ughelli North respectively. Among those arrested were Maureen Odiri (47) and Mrs. Doris Okoroko (55). Officers recovered large quantities of Tramadol, Codeine, Swinol, and other narcotics during the sting operations.

In a high-risk sting operation along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway on July 9, Delta Police raided a deadly gang hideout. A shootout ensued, leading to the death of six suspected kidnappers while two others remain hospitalized. Recovered from the scene were four locally made guns and 19 live cartridges.

CP Abaniwonda urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. He emphasized the public’s role in supporting the command’s proactive approach to policing and reaffirmed the commitment of his team to rooting out criminal elements in the state.

The command provided control room hotlines for rapid reporting: 08036684974, 08114895600, 08025666914

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By Fikunmi Sokoya