Police rescue kidnap victim, arrest suspected cultists

The police in Delta State have rescued a kidnapped woman and arrested five suspects in separate operations in the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday.

Mr Edafe, a superintendent of police, said the operations also led to the recovery of several items, including a fabricated Beretta pistol, a magazine, two rounds of live ammunition, a battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer.

Kidnapped woman rescued

The police said operatives of the Otu-Jeremi Division rescued a 25-year-old woman who was allegedly assaulted and held hostage at Usiefrun Community.

The rescue operation was carried out on Saturday following intelligence shared by the Divisional Police Officer of the Ovwian-Aladja Division, the statement said.

A 29-year-old man, Brotugbare Onome, was arrested in connection with the incident.

A search of the premises where the woman was rescued led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition, according to the police.

Two arrested over alleged cult killing

In a separate incident, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested two suspected cultists over the alleged killing of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey.

The police said Godfrey was allegedly killed at Jesse Main Market in Ethiope West Local Government Area on 24 March.

The arrests followed intelligence allegedly obtained from a viral video showing suspected cultists celebrating the killing.

PREMIUM TIMES has not seen the video.

The VCRU operatives, acting on the intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Oghara on 1 October.

The operation led to the arrest of Ezekiel Izomor, 23, and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, 23, the police said.

A battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer were recovered during the operation, according to the statement.

The police said, “Preliminary investigation indicated that a suspect identified as Collins allegedly wanted to become the leader of the Aro Bagger confraternity and believed that killing a rival cult member would help him secure the leadership position.”

The police said Collins allegedly connived with Mr Izomor, Mr Ogaganefe and another suspect identified as Richman, who was a close friend of the deceased.

“Richman and Collins are at large, but efforts to arrest them is on top gear,” Mr Edafe said.

Two arrested over alleged kidnap plot

In another separate incident, the police arrested two men over an alleged plot to kidnap a woman in Abraka.

The police identified the suspects as Endurance Akpade, 37, and Edwin Morgan, 43.

The suspects, the police said, remain in custody and are assisting with the investigation.

The latest operations come amid increased police action against cultism and drug-related crimes in Delta State.

The command recently announced the arrest of a suspected drug peddler and the recovery of illicit drugs in another operation.

In a separate operation, the police said they raided a suspected drug spot, arrested suspects and recovered firearms.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Samuel Erale, commended the officers involved in the operations.

Mr Erale urged residents to provide credible and timely information to the police to assist efforts against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.

He also warned youths against cultism, saying the practice could destroy their future.