Delta State Police Record Major Breakthroughs In Anti-Kidnapping, Armed Robbery Operations
THE Delta State Police Command has made significant strides in combating kidnapping and armed robbery across Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, and other areas, thanks to a series of strategic operations led by a newly appointed leadership.
Speaking at a press briefing in Ughelli, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) highlighted some of the key achievements under the leadership of Commissioner of Police (CP) Olufemi Abaniwonda. He noted that upon resuming duty as the 22nd Commissioner of Police for Delta State on February 1, 2024, CP Abaniwonda was met with the urgent challenge of rising cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in several areas. In response, the Commissioner swiftly deployed a special assignment team, led by ASP Julius Robinson, to coordinate efforts with divisional police officers (DPOs) in these regions.
The PPRO stated that “The CP’s decision to deploy this team has proven to be a masterstroke,” adding, “The operation has resulted in several key arrests, the recovery of arms, and the dismantling of notorious criminal networks.”
He listed the AC hievements of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) to include Arrest of Suspected Kidnappers and Recovery of an AK-47 Rifle, stating that in a sting operation on September 12, 2024, four members of the Vikings confraternity, believed to be responsible for a spate of kidnappings along the Sapele-Warri road, were arrested. The suspects, identified as Bakpor Isaiah (34), Victor (31), Ogheneochukwu Emmanuel (47), and Godspower Clifford (19), were apprehended with one AK-47 rifle and a Toyota Sienna used as their operational vehicle.
Another major breakthrough, he stated was the Death of Suspected Kidnappers and Recovery of Firearms on September 18, 2024, when the CP-SAT operatives identified a hideout of suspected kidnappers in Ogor forest and during a gun battle, two suspects were fatally injured. One pump-action gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun, and nine live cartridges were recovered at the scene.
Also, the Arrest of Suspected Kidnapper, Recovery of Ransom Money, and Beretta Pistol in an operation which saw the arrest of a suspected fraudster, Timothy Ochuko, and which led to the discovery of his involvement in kidnapping. On October 7, 2024, the sum of ₦500,000, part of a ransom paid by a victim, was recovered from his account, and a Beretta pistol was seized from one of his accomplices.
Also according to the police spokesperson, in another operation which saw the Arrest of Notorious Kidnapper and Recovery of Weapons
on September 17, 2024, in Sapele town, a suspect identified as Oghenetega (33) was arrested. A search of his residence led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle, and a fabricated long gun; while the
Arrest of Murder Suspect Linked to Kidnappings and Armed Robbery was also effected on September 25, 2024 and the CP-SAT operatives arrested Ojoko Ijoyoto, a notorious criminal wanted for over three years, in connection with the murder of a local youth leader and a policeman. An AK-47 rifle with six rounds of ammunition was found in his residence.
Again, the arrest of Cultist and Recovery of Fabricated Beretta Pistols was effected on
on October 5, 2024, when Police operatives arrested Tunde Akingbenomo (32) in Ogharaefe, recovering a locally made gun and two fabricated automatic Beretta pistols.
The PPRO also listed firearms recovered from in these separate exercises to include that of a large cache of firearms such as 7 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 rifle, 1 G3 rifle, 6 pump-action shotguns, 9 light machine guns (LMGs), 16 Beretta pistols
Additionally, 35 cartridges, 53 rounds of ammunition, and seven cutlasses were seized.
He disclosed that in total, 52 suspects have been arrested, comprising 34 suspected kidnappers, 12 cultists, 2 fraudsters, and 4 gunrunners. The police also recovered ₦5.5 million in ransom money and rescued three kidnapped victims.
The Delta State Police Command has vowed to continue its efforts at ensuring peace and security across the region, with investigations still ongoing to track down other suspects at large.
