By Awhawha Awhawha
The Delta State Police Command has recorded a string of significant breakthroughs in the fight against crime across the state in July, leading to the arrest of 211 suspects, the recovery of ₦8.5 million in ransom money, 18 firearms, and over 350 rounds of ammunition.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday, said the command’s proactive, intelligence-driven, and community-based policing strategies were yielding impressive results in making Delta State increasingly hostile for criminals.
Among the highlights of the month was a successful joint operation by the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad and men of the Nigerian Army from 63 Brigade, which led to the rescue of two kidnapped female polytechnic students.
“The operation, which took place in Ogwashi-Ukwu forest on July 30, resulted in the death of two suspected kidnappers during a shootout. Recovered from the scene were an AK-47 rifle, thirty-nine rounds of live ammunition, and a bag containing ₦3.5 million suspected to be ransom collected from one of the victims.
“Another operation, acting on credible intelligence, led to the arrest of a suspected kidnapper identified as Chiadiji Collins, also known as “Smooth”, along the Ibusa road. A follow-up search at his residence in Ewulu community uncovered an AK-47 rifle and forty rounds of live ammunition. His accomplice, Ezechie Andrew, was also arrested with two pump-action guns and cartridges. Both suspects are believed to be involved in a series of kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku and surrounding areas.
“In a separate sting operation aimed at dismantling a notorious kidnapping syndicate targeting high-profile individuals in Sapele and Oghara, police operatives arrested several members of the gang, including its alleged leader, Owei Abebo, alias “Adusa.” A herbalist linked to the gang and suspected to be responsible for fortifying members with charms was also apprehended. A total of 247 rounds of SMG ammunition were recovered, along with fetish items and three live tortoises.”
In what CP Olufemi described as one of the largest single crackdowns on cybercrime in the state, operatives raided a suspected internet fraud hub at Post Housing Estate, Effurun, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army. A total of 184 suspects were arrested in the operation, with the recovery of 273 laptops, 97 smartphones, an iPad, and two Wi-Fi routers.
“The command also uncovered a disturbing case involving a self-staged kidnap. A young woman, Merit Eneh, was arrested alongside her accomplices after confessing to faking her own abduction in order to extract a ₦3 million ransom from her brother. She admitted to using a previous loan of ₦3.6 million for her wedding expenses and planned the fake kidnapping to recover the funds. She gave ₦500,000 to her collaborators and kept the rest.
“Other notable operations during the month included the arrest of a suspected kidnapper, Sanusi Abdulahi, in Ogwashi-Uku with ₦5 million in ransom money. The arrest led to the capture of four other members of his gang, all suspected to be behind a string of recent kidnappings in the area.
“On July 9, along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway, a sting operation by the CP-Special Assignment Team led to a violent exchange of gunfire with a notorious kidnapping gang. Six suspects, including gang members identified as Solomon Danisco (a.k.a. “Picolo”) and Whisky Rufus (a.k.a. “Asawana”), sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the encounter and were later confirmed dead. Four cut-to-size locally made guns and nineteen cartridges were recovered at the scene.
“Several suspected cultists were also arrested across different parts of the state. In Jesse town, a patrol team apprehended a 20-year-old man identified as Tega Ibrahim with a locally made pistol. Investigations revealed he is the second-in-command of the Eiye confraternity.
“In another operation, operatives in Abraka arrested three suspects in possession of a fabricated Beretta pistol, live ammunition, a cap with Eiye insignia, and a battle axe.”
Acting on intelligence of a planned attack at Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, police intercepted two suspects carrying six cut-to-size guns concealed in handbags. They later confessed to being members of the Black Axe confraternity.
“The command also continued its clampdown on illicit drug dealers. A female suspect, Maureen Odiri, was arrested in Jesse while conveying various quantities of tramadol, codeine, and swinol. In another sting operation in Afisere, Ughelli North, three female suspects were arrested with large quantities of similar illicit substances, including cannabis.
“Summarizing the results of the July operations, CP Olufemi said that a total of 18 firearms and 359 rounds of ammunition were recovered, along with ₦8.5 million in ransom money and over 370 electronic devices linked to cybercrime.
“He commended the efforts of the officers and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the police via dedicated control room lines: 08036684974, 08114895600, and 08025666914.”
CP Olufemi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Delta State and vowed that criminals would continue to face the full weight of the law.