Police Bust Kidnap Syndicate, Arrest 5 Suspects In Delta

The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping, successfully dismantling a kidnap syndicate and rescuing abducted travellers.

The operation followed a kidnapping incident that occurred on February 1, 2026, along the Warri–Sapele Road near Adeje Community in Delta State, where a group of travellers was ambushed by armed men.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Friday.

According to the statement, the attack was formally reported on February 4, after two of the victims escaped from captivity and raised the alarm.

“The assailants, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, forcefully took the victims into the bush,” Edafe said. “Two of the victims managed to escape and promptly raised alarm, triggering a coordinated response involving the Police, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilantes.”

He added that sustained pressure from the joint security teams forced the kidnappers to abandon the remaining victims, who were later rescued unhurt.

In a swift response based on credible intelligence, police operatives from Orerokpe Division arrested a suspect, Dafiaga Timothy, on the same day the incident was reported. He was apprehended while attempting to withdraw money using one of the victim’s ATM cards at a PoS point in Adeje Community.

The case was subsequently transferred to the CP-Special Assignment Team for further investigation.

Edafe disclosed that further arrests were made following interrogation and intelligence gathering. On March 31, operatives arrested Samuel Omonigho, 31, in Kokori Community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, and Henry Christmas, 22, in Adeje Community, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

The crackdown continued on April 5, when two more suspects, Ovo Wilson Junior, also known as “Sheboy,” 24, and Emakpo Ubiaro Abel, 36, were arrested in Mereje and Ughwagba communities in Okpe Local Government Area.

“Investigation revealed that Emakpo Ubiaro Abel is a tricycle rider who conveys the gang members to and from their operational locations,” Edafe stated.

Acting on information obtained during interrogation, operatives carried out a follow-up operation on April 13 at a hideout in Oka Junction, Agbarho. A search of the location led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition, as well as a locally made gun with seven live cartridges.

Police said the syndicate has been linked to a series of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across Warri, Sapele, Agbarho, Ughelli, and surrounding areas.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the collaboration between security agencies and local communities, noting that their vigilance played a key role in the success of the operation.

Sp Edafe reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling crime and urged residents to continue providing timely information to security agencies.