By Anne Azuka
The Delta State Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers and recovered ₦2,334,000, which is part of the ransom paid by victims to secure their freedom.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Asaba, where he reviewed the Command’s activities over the past two months.
According to CP Abaniwonda, the Command’s proactive measures, increased vigilance, and tactical operations have led to a significant decrease in kidnappings and armed robberies in the state, particularly during the notorious “ember months,” when crime rates typically rise.
The breakthrough occurred when operatives from the Ebrumede Division intercepted a tricycle carrying six passengers, acting on credible intelligence. Upon sighting the police, the suspects attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended. The police recovered the ransom money and several suspected stolen phones during the operation.
In a separate operation in the Umunede forest area, two victims kidnapped on August 30, 2024, along the Asaba-Benin Expressway were successfully rescued. The kidnappers abandoned the victims upon realizing that the police were closing in on them. The victims have since been reunited with their families. Additionally, one Dane gun and ten rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the scene.
During the review period, the Command also recovered a significant cache of weapons, including four AK-47 rifles, eight pump-action guns, fifteen cut-to-size guns, five Beretta pistols, and 138 rounds of ammunition and cartridges.
While commending the strides made by the Delta State Police Command, CP Abaniwonda acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by the ember months, a period infamous for increased criminal activities. He assured the public that the Command would intensify its operations in the coming months, with heightened visibility policing and sustained raids on criminal hideouts.
The Police Commissioner also urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities, stressing that public collaboration is crucial for continued success in combating crime.
