Delta Police Foil Kidnap Plot, Nab Five In Separate Operations
By BLESSING AGWE ODUGO
THE Delta State Police Command has rescued a 25-year-old woman and arrested five suspects in separate operations against kidnapping and cult-related violence.
Police authorities said the operations also produced several weapons and ammunition.
Those recovered included a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine, two live rounds, a battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, announced the operations in a statement issued in Warri on Sunday.
At Usiefrun Community, officers acted on intelligence and moved against an alleged hostage situation on 3 October.
The Otu-Jeremi Division responded after receiving information from the Ovwian-Aladja Division.
By about 8:30am, operatives arrived at the location and rescued the woman.
They also arrested 29-year-old Brotugbare Francis Onome, whom the police identified as the main suspect.
A subsequent search of the premises uncovered the fabricated pistol, magazine and ammunition.
Elsewhere, police in Abraka moved against an alleged kidnapping plot.
The operation followed information received on October 1 about a plan to abduct a woman in the community.
Working alongside Civilian Anti-Cult Operatives, officers arrested Endurance Akpade, 37, and Edwin Friday Morgan, 43.
The two suspects remain in custody and are assisting with the investigation.
In a separate operation, the Violent Crime Response Unit targeted a suspected cult hideout in Oghara.
Police said the raid followed intelligence obtained from a viral video allegedly linked to a cult-related killing.
Officers arrested Ezekiel Sunday Izomor and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, both 23, over the alleged murder of 25-year-old Godfrey.
The incident occurred at Jesse Main Market in Ethiope West Local Government Area on March 24, 2026.
During the operation, police recovered one battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer.
Investigators also alleged that a suspect known as Collins wanted to become leader of the Aro Bagger Confraternity.
Police said preliminary findings indicated that he allegedly plotted the killing of a rival member and worked with Izomor, Ogaganefe and another suspect, Richman.
However, Collins and Richman have not been arrested.
The command said it was intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend the two suspects.
Reacting to the operations, Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale praised the officers for responding quickly to intelligence.
He stressed that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
Furthermore, Erale appealed to residents to provide timely and credible information.
He also warned youths against cult activities, stressing that such involvement could jeopardise their future.
