Delta Police arrest 10 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers during intelligence-led operations across the state, recovering weapons, drugs, and vehicles

Operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad (SAKCCS) of the Delta State Police Command have arrested 10 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers in coordinated operations across the state.

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The arrests were confirmed in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, and made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday.

Edafe said on January 20, 2026, at around 4:30 a.m., SAKCCS operatives, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a targeted operation along the Jedo/Ugboton–Warri axis in connection with reported kidnapping and armed robbery cases in Obinoba, Obiaruku, Abraka, Ororokpe, and neighbouring communities.

“The intelligence-led operation saw operatives discreetly trail a suspect to a notorious criminal hideout allegedly operated by one Oke Jerry Ekokodjie and one Ibori.

Upon storming the location, the principal suspects — Oke Jerry Ekokodjie and Ibori — alongside three others, were arrested, while some gang members escaped through adjoining creeks and waterways,” the statement read.

Items recovered included a locally fabricated Beretta-style pistol with three rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a black Mercedes-Benz GLK, a battle axe, illicit substances in commercial quantity, and a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine.

In a separate operation on January 22, 2026, at about 2:56 a.m., operatives from the Obiaruku Division raided a suspected cultist hideout in Amai Community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

Five suspects — Frank Etiyemonu (36), Chinedu Emeka (25), Festus Nwadiche (26), Azuju Onowu (29), and Ozor Blessing (29) — were arrested.

Searches of the hideout yielded a locally made pistol, two battle axes, quantities of Indian hemp and other suspected hard drugs, as well as other dangerous weapons. All suspects are currently in police custody undergoing further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, commended the operatives for their professionalism and intelligence-driven approach.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ridding Delta State of criminal elements and urged residents to provide timely, credible information, assuring them of strict confidentiality.

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This follows a recent manhunt for six suspected kidnappers who fled during an exchange of gunfire with police in Upper Agbarho, during which arms and ammunition were recovered.