CITIZENS COMPASS— The Delta State Police Command on Thursday, said it has successfully rescued a kidnapped woman, and arrested 54 suspected cultists in the State.
During the operations leading to the arrest, the Command recovered one locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge and suspected cannabis.
The woman was rescued in Ovade forest while the suspects were arrested in Eku, Obiaruku and Ubulu-Uku,
as confirmed by spokesperson for the Command Bright Edafe, in a statement.
Edafe while giving the details of the operations said: On 23rd September 2026, acting on a distress call regarding the kidnap of a woman (Name withheld) the DPO Oghara Division led operatives of the Division, Quick Response Squad, vigilantes and hunters into Ovade Forest in continuation of efforts to rescue the kidnapped 48-year-old woman. During the operation, about four suspected kidnappers engaged the team in a gun duel but were forced to retreat, abandoning the victim, who was rescued unhurt.
The operatives pursued the fleeing suspects, during which one unidentified suspect was found lifeless, while another, Abubakhar Sani, was apprehended with gunshot injuries. both of them were later confirmed dead at the Hospital. One dagger, a NIN slip, OPay Verve card, Tecno mobile phone and other personal effects were recovered. The victim is stable and undergoing debriefing, while efforts to apprehend the other fleeing suspects are ongoing.
On 19th September 2026, operatives of Abraka Division, supported by personnel of the State Intelligence Department (SID) and local vigilantes, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a suspected cult initiation gathering in Eku and 30 suspects, comprising twenty-nine males and one female. Preliminary investigation indicated that the gathering was allegedly connected with the initiation of new members into the Black Axe Confraternity. The suspects were transferred to the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), Sector 2, Ozoro, for further investigation.
Further intelligence developed from the investigation led the Commander, CACU Sector 2, Ozoro, and his operatives to Obiaruku on 20th September 2026, 20 additional suspects, comprising fifteen males and five females, were arrested over suspected cult-related activities. Investigation is ongoing to establish their individual involvement.
In another development, on 20th September 2026, four male suspected cultists were arrested in Ubulu-Uku in connection with a suspected cult-related killing and handed over to operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), Asaba, for further investigation. The suspects, Okwudili Ozah, 34; Chekwube Onwuka, 18; Onyebe Emmanuel, 19; and Ozoremenem Izuchukwu, 21, are suspected members of the Supreme Vikings and Eiye confraternities.
Recovered during the operation were one locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge and a quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis. The victim was taken to a medical facility, where he was confirmed dead, and his remains deposited at the mortuary for autopsy. Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and the individual involvement of the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, commended the operatives and other security stakeholders involved in the operations. He reiterated the Command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, warning criminal elements to desist or face the full weight of the law. He assured residents that the Command will continue to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegally held weapons and bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice
