Police kill suspected kidnapper, arrest armed robbers, recover weapons in Delta
The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of a suspected kidnapper as he and his gang members engaged police operatives in a gun duel in Obiaruku area of the state.
The command also confirmed the arrest of some suspected armed robbers and cultists as well as the recovery of some arms and ammunition.
Spokesman for the command, SP Bright Edafe said in a statement on Tuesday that on December 1, 2025, operatives of the Command’s State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), in collaboration with community volunteers, were on intensive patrol when they received credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers were mobilising within the Obiaruku forest to carry out a deadly attack.
He said acting swiftly on the information, the operatives advanced towards the location to forestall the planned criminal activity.
Edafe said on approaching the area, the suspects opened fire from multiple directions in a bid to repel the team.
He noted that the operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the death of one suspect, while others escaped into the forest with various degrees of injuries.
“One AK-47 rifle with forty-two (42) rounds of live ammunition, nine mobile phones, and charms were recovered,” Edafe said.
In related development, the spokesman said operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by the Commander, ASP Julius Robinson, recorded a series of coordinated breakthroughs between November 28 and 29, 2025 in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks linked to theft, armed violence, and cult-related activities across Ughelli, Oghara, and Sapele.
He said the police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, around the Ekuigbo axis, intercepted one of the syndicate’s key actors, Kelvin Oke, male, 42, and recovered a stolen tricycle in his possession.
He said more coordinated operations led to the arrest of two additional suspects: Victor Oyaye, male, 26, of Otor-Ogor community, identified as the gang leader, and Monday Emakpo, male, 31, of Okpara community, residing in Agbara, Ughelli.
Edafe said another stolen tricycle and a locally-made shotgun loaded with six live cartridges were recovered.
Building on this momentum, he stated that CP-SAT sustained the offensive into the Oghara–Sapele axis and on 29th November 2025, acting on further intelligence, operatives stormed the residence of one Jeffery Saint, male, 28, of Ogharake, Oghara.
He stated, “The suspect attempted to evade arrest but was swiftly restrained.
“A meticulous search of the premises led to the recovery of a locally fabricated Beretta pistol and fifteen (15) rounds of live ammunition, which were concealed and ready for criminal deployment.”
Also, in another feat on 29 November 2025, Edafe said operatives of the Eagle Net Special Squad, under the command of SP Danyaya Inusa, were conducting a routine stop-and-search operation around the Northwest Filling Station by Mariam Babangida Junction along the Asaba–Benin Expressway when a seemingly ordinary traffic check turned into a dramatic chase.
Edafe said, “The officers closed in quickly and apprehended the fleeing suspect, who was later identified as Ezekiel Edeya, male, 28, of Emevo in Isoko North LGA.
“A thorough search was conducted, leading to the recovery of a red hand bag he had attempted to discard. Inside the bag were one locally fabricated pistol, three live cartridges, an iron plier, and one screwdriver. Suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has commended the operatives for their gallantry and appreciated stakeholders for trusting the police with information in crime fighting.