Residents of several Delta State communities are breathing a sigh of relief following major security breakthroughs recorded by the Delta State Police Command, which led to the arrest of ten suspected kidnappers and cultists in separate intelligence-driven operations.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, who said the operations were part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks terrorising residents across the state.
According to the statement, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a coordinated operation in the early hours of January 20 along the Jedo–Ugboton axis near Warri.
The operation followed reports linking a criminal syndicate to kidnapping and armed robbery incidents in Obinoba, Obiaruku, Abraka, Ororokpe and neighbouring communities.
Police operatives reportedly trailed a suspect to a notorious hideout allegedly operated by one Oke Jerry Ekokodjie and another suspect identified simply as Ibori. Upon storming the location, five suspects, including the alleged leaders, were arrested, while other members of the gang escaped through adjoining creeks and waterways.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of a locally fabricated Beretta-style pistol with three rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a black Mercedes-Benz GLK vehicle, a battle axe, large quantities of suspected illicit drugs and a Point-of-Sale machine believed to have been used in criminal transactions.
In a separate operation on January 22, operatives from the Obiaruku Division raided a suspected cultists’ hideout at Amai community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area. Five suspects were arrested during the raid.
Items recovered from the hideout included a locally made pistol, two battle axes, quantities of Indian hemp and other suspected hard drugs, as well as other dangerous weapons.
SP Edafe stated that all the suspects have been taken into custody and are currently undergoing investigation, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing members of the criminal groups.
Reacting to the successes, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Aina Adesola, commended the operatives for their professionalism and effective use of actionable intelligence.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive and intelligence-led policing aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements.
The police commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support the police with timely and credible information, assuring the public that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
