ASABA, DELTA STATE | 5 AUGUST 2025 –The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, has expressed concern over the growing involvement of local residents in kidnapping and organised crime in the state.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Asaba on Tuesday, CP Olufemi highlighted the successes of the Delta Police Command for the month of July 2025. He disclosed that a total of 211 suspects were arrested, with several weapons, ammunition, and criminal exhibits recovered.
Major Kidnapping Ring Busted
On 30th July 2025, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, in collaboration with the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, launched a tactical operation in the Ogwashi-Ukwu forest, where suspected kidnappers were hiding.
The suspects had abducted two female students from a polytechnic in Asaba Ogwashi on 23rd July 2025. A gun battle ensued during the operation, resulting in the death of two kidnappers. Recovered from the scene were:
One AK-47 rifle
31 rounds of live ammunition
A bag containing ₦3 million suspected to be ransom money
Notorious Gang and Ritualist Arrested
In a separate operation based on intelligence reports about an attempted abduction of high-profile individuals in Sapele and Oghara, police operatives arrested
Peter Benson (35), a herbalist alleged to be the spiritual fortifier for the gang.Further investigations led to the arrest of Joseph Saniyo (63) from Ajakorama Community in Edo State, who was found in possession of three live tortoises and other fetish items suspected to be used in criminal rituals.
The operation later resulted in the arrest of the gang leader Owei Abebo, a.k.a. “Adusa” (42), and two other gang members, Ebi Maye (41) and Happy Obegha (39). Recovered from the suspects were:
247 rounds of SMG live ammunition
Internet Fraud Crackdown
In another major bust on 21st July 2025, the Delta Police Command, again in conjunction with the Nigerian Army, raided a suspected cybercrime den located in Post Housing Estate, Effurun.
During the operation, Kelvin Odini (33) and 183 others were arrested for their involvement in internet fraud. The raid led to the recovery of:
273 assorted laptops
97 smartphones
One iPad and one table phone
In total, the Delta Police Command recovered 18 firearms, 359 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, and arrested 211 suspects in the month of July alone.
CP Olufemi reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to an intelligence-driven approach to policing, with an emphasis on community collaboration. He urged citizens to resist criminal influences and assist law enforcement through timely and accurate reporting.
