From Monday Ochuko – Asaba

Delta Stare Police Commissioner CP Abaniwonda Olufemi said, his command has made breakthrough in July 2025, in combating crime in the state.

Briefing journalists in Asaba the state capital recently, he said his command has continued to make Delta State a “hot spot for criminals by maintaining continuous, proactive, intelligence-driven and community policing.”

He highlighted some remarkable achievements below.

He said on 30/07/25, operatives of Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad in a combined effort with men of the Nigerian Army attached to 63 Brigade Nigerian Army base, embarked on an intelligence led operation.

They “stormed Ogwashi-Ukwu forest cum hideout of some suspected kidnappers who kidnapped two polytechnic female students on 23/07/2025 at Asagba Ogwashi-Uku.
“The combined teams engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun duel, which led to the death of two suspected kidnappers. One AK-47 rifle, thirty-nine rounds of live ammunition, a bag containing the sum of three million, five hundred thousand naira suspected to be ransom collected from one of their victims, were recovered.

In another case, acting on credible intelligence on the activities of some suspected kidnappers, on 27/07/2025 at about 0120hrs, operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) with support from X-Squad and Buffallo Patrol Team of the command, stormed a criminal hideout along Ibusa road and arrested a suspected kidnapper known as Chiadiji Collins AKA “Smooth”, 42yrs. Upon interrogation, he led operatives to his residence at Ewulu community in Aniocha South LGA, Delta State, where one AK-47 rifle and forty rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered. Further investigation led to the arrest of his accomplice Ezechie Andrew of the same community, in whose possession two pump action guns, and two live cartridges were recovered. They are suspected to be involved in a series of kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku, Isseluku and other parts of Delta State.

According to the CP, “sequel to series of intelligence reports received on the planned abduction of some high-profile persons in Sapele, Oghara, and environs, by a notorious syndicate under the leadership of one Owei Abebo, alias “ADUSA”, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team embarked on a strategic but intelligence led operation. And on 19th July 2025, the operatives arrested one Peter Benson, a 35-year-old male suspect from Kwale in Ndokwa LGA, Delta State, who is a herbalist responsible for ritual preparations for the criminal gang.

Following intensive interrogation, Peter Benson led operatives to another suspect, one Joseph Saniyo, 63 years old, of Ajakorama Community, Ovia South-West LGA of Edo State, in possession of three live tortoises and other fetish items believed to be used in criminal fortification rituals. Acting swiftly on further investigation, the gang leader Owei Abebo a.k.a “Adusa”, aged 42, Ebi Maye, aged 41 years, and Happy Obegha, aged 39 years, were arrested in Oghara. Two hundred and forty-seven (247) rounds of SMG live ammunition were recovered..”

CP Abaniwobda also revealed that, his command, in a combined effort with the Nigerian Army, on the 21st July 2025 at about 1745hrs, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a coordinated raid on a location within Post Housing Estate, Effurun, where suspected internet fraud was taking place.

“The operation resulted in the arrest of one Kelvin Odini, aged 33 years, and one hundred and eighty-three (183) others engaged in online fraud-related activities. Items recovered from the suspects include: Two hundred and seventy-three (273) assorted laptops, Ninety-seven (97) assorted smartphones, One (1) iPad, one (1) table phone, Nine (9) laptop chargers, and Two (2) Wi-Fi routers. Investigation is ongoing.”

The CP also stated that, on 30th of July 2025, operatives of the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) while acting on an information, stormed a criminal hide out at Big Gate Campus 3 Abraka where one Benjamin Okwufulueze aged 21yrs, Augustine Ifeanyi l aged 22yrs Iruma Japheth aged 27yrs, were arrested and one fabricated Beretta pistol with four live ammunition were recovered. Also recovered are one black cap with Eiye inscription and one battle axe.

In a related development, on 21st July , the command received a report of a suspected kidnapping incident involving a female victim around Bonsaac, Asaba. Acting promptly on the report, “l directed Commander Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad to ensure that the victim is rescued unhurt. Acting on this directive, the command led operatives launched a coordinated intelligence-driven operation, on 22nd July 2025 at about 0900hrs the operatives arrested one Alfred Elisha at Koka Roundabout, and Ugochukwu Adim off DLA Road, Asaba. Upon arrest of the suspects, they confessed that it was not a case of an actual kidnap but plotted between the victim and them. Their revelation led to the arrest of the main suspect, Merit Eneh, aged 27 years old. She confessed that the money loaned to her by her brother of about three million six hundred thousand naira (#3,600,000), she used it to sponsor her bridal shower and hotel expenses during her wedding, which took place in March 2025. She further stated that she faked her own kidnap and received a ransom of three million naira (#3,000,000) and gave her accomplices five hundred thousand naira (#500,000), and she took two million, five hundred thousand Naira (#2,5000,000) for herself. All suspects involved have been arrested, and investigation is ongoing.’

Again, CP Abaniwonda disclosed that,
On 12th July 2025 at about 0630hrs, operatives of the Special Anti-kidnapping and cyber-crime squad trailed some suspected kidnappers terrorizing the state to their hideout in Ogwashi-Ukwu in Oshimili North LGA of the state, where a suspected kidnapper named Sanusi Abdulahi was arrested in possession of ransom of Five Million Naira (#5,000,000) which was part of the ransom they collected from their last victim. Preliminary investigation revealed that they are responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ibusa Ogwash-Uku, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Uku, Isele-Asagba and most recently the kidnap of a young lady at Ogwash-Uku on 9th July 2025.
The suspect led the operatives to their hideout at Second Deputy, where four other members of his gang were also arrested.

On the 9th of July, 2025, along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway, operatives of the CP-special assignment team in a sting operation raided the hideout of one Solomon Danisco aka “Picolo”, Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, Whisky Rufus, aka “Asawana”, a native of Ewu community. During the operation, the heavily armed suspects engaged the operatives in a fierce gun duel, during which the suspects and their gang members sustained serious gunshot injuries. They were taken to a hospital, where six of them were confirmed dead while two others are still receiving treatment. Exhibit recovered includes four locally-made guns and nineteen live rounds of cartridges.

On the 20th of July 2025 at about 1927 hours, patrol team attached Jesse division while on stop and search duty along uyo stree, Jesse town, Delta state intercepted a young man with a bag. upon searching of the suspect, one locally made pistol loaded with one cartridge was recovered. The suspect Tega Ibrahim ‘m’ aged 20yrs was immediately arrested and taken into custody. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is the second in command of Eiye confraternity. investigation is ongoing.

In a related development, on 23rd of July 2025, operatives of anti-crime patrol of Jesse Police Division while on confidence building patrol intercepted a motorcycle rider conveying a female passenger they were subjected to a search during which illicit drugs which included tramadol, Swinol, Codeine were recovered from the female suspect identified as Maureen Odiri aged 47yrs and was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

Another achievement he disclosed was on 31/07/2025 when the DPO Ogwashi-Uku Police Division received information of an imminent attack on students writing their final year exams at Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Ukwu by suspected cultists. Operatives were deployed and two suspects, namely Favour Osafile 23 years and Ifeainachi Emmanuel 23 years, were arrested with two handbags containing six cut-to-size guns and eight rounds of live cartridges. “Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity. Investigation is ongoing.”

Also on 30/07/25, operatives of CP- Special Assignment Team, while acting on credible intelligence, embarked on a sting operation and raided a hideout situated at Afisere town in Ughelli North LGA of Delta State.
Upon thorough search, different types of illicit drugs, which include Tramadol, Codeine, Swinol and Cannabis were recovered in large quantities.
The following suspects were arrested: Mrs Doris Okoroko aged 55 years, Gladys Otah, aged 46 years, and Anita Samuel aged 23 years.

The SUPREME learnt that, 18 firearms were recovered.

A ammunition and cartridges recovered were 359, while N8.5million cash of ransom was recovered.

Other items recovered included, laptops and mobile phones recovered, while 211 suspects were arrested.

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