Odita Sunday 
Delta Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Arrest Eight Suspects, Recover Guns
By Odita Sunday
The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnap victim, arrested eight suspected armed robbers and cultists, and recovered three firearms, 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The operations, conducted between October 20 and 23, also led to the arrest of two suspected firearm possessors in Ekuku-Agbor Community, Ika South Local Government Area, and six suspected cultists in Abraka.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
According to the statement, operatives of Owa-Oyibu Division, working in collaboration with local volunteer groups, rescued a 23-year-old man abducted at Owa-Alero on October 19.
The victim was reportedly seized in front of his residence by two suspected kidnappers and dragged into a nearby bush.
Following a report lodged by his brother, police operatives commenced an intensive search of the surrounding bushes, leading to the victim’s rescue on October 20.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors.
In another operation on October 23, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence, raided a hotel in Abraka suspected to be a hideout for drug-related activities.
The operation resulted in the arrest of six suspected cultists and the recovery of a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said some individuals fled upon sighting the operatives, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership and source of the recovered firearm and identify other persons connected with the incident.
Similarly, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Sector III, Ubuluku, arrested a 62-year-old man, Richard Nmorsi, during a raid on his residence at Ekuku-Agbor Community, Ika South LGA, on October 21.
The operation, conducted following credible intelligence and pursuant to a duly obtained search warrant, led to the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, 24 live cartridges and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspect was arrested, while the recovered exhibits were taken into police custody for further investigation.
In a separate operation on October 23, operatives of the same unit raided the residence of a 56-year-old man, Amechi Osemeke, at Ekuku-Agbor Community.
The search, conducted with a duly obtained warrant, led to the recovery of a serviceable double-barrel firearm and one live cartridge.
Osemeke was arrested, while police investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding his possession of the firearm.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Erale, reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, recovering illegally possessed firearms and protecting communities across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police, assuring them that the command would continue to work towards ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
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