Police rescue kidnap victim, arrest eight suspects in Delta

The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnap victim and arrested eight suspects as three firearms, 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp were also recovered.

The operations were conducted across the state between October 20 and 23, 2026.

The command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, said in a statement on Saturday that operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Division, working with local volunteer groups, rescued the victim on October 20, 2026.

“On October 20, 2026, operatives of Owa-Oyibu Division, in collaboration with local volunteer groups, successfully rescued a 23-year-old man whom two suspected kidnappers abducted on October 19, 2026 at Owa-Alero,” the statement read in part.

“The victim was reportedly seized in front of his residence and dragged into a nearby bush,” it added.

Following a report lodged by his brother, operatives began an intensive search of the surrounding bushes, which led to his rescue the following day.

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors.

In another development, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, on October 23, 2026, raided a hotel in Abraka suspected to be a hideout for drug-related activities.

Six suspected cultists were arrested during the operation, while a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp was recovered. Some individuals fled upon sighting the operatives.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership and source of the firearm and to identify other persons connected with the incident.

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Also, on October 21, 2026, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Sector III, Ubuluku, raided the residence of a 62-year-old suspect, Richard Nmorsi, at Ekuku-Agbor community in the Ika South Local Government Area.

A search of the premises, conducted with a warrant, led to the recovery of one locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, 24 live cartridges and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

The suspect was arrested, while the exhibits were taken into custody for further investigation.

Similarly, on October 23, 2026, operatives of the same unit raided the residence of a 56-year-old suspect, Amechi Osemeke, at Ekuku-Agbor community.

During a search conducted with a warrant, they recovered one serviceable double-barrel firearm and one live cartridge.

The suspect was arrested, and an investigation is ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his possession of the firearm.

Also, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Samuel Erale, said the command would sustain its operations.

“The command would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, recovering illegally possessed firearms and safeguarding communities across the state,” he said.

Erale urged residents to “remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police”, assuring them that no effort would be spared in ensuring their safety and security.