The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, said today that the command recorded remarkable breakthroughs in crime-fighting between October and early November 2025, resulting in the arrest of 77 suspects, the recovery of 13 firearms, 591 rounds of ammunition, and N4.1 million ransom.
Speaking during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Asaba on Wednesday, CP Abaniwonda said the achievements were the result of intelligence-driven policing, strengthened community collaboration, and sustained raids on criminal hideouts across the state.
He said operatives of the command, acting on a distress call on November 1, engaged suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun battle at Obinomba community. One suspect was fatally wounded while the victim, a woman abducted by the hoodlums, was rescued unhurt. An AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 12 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the scene.
In another operation, the Commissioner said operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, acting on intelligence from the Force Technical Intelligence Unit, arrested a female suspect, Jamila Abubakar, and an arms dealer, Ahmed Ibrahim, at Warri. A total of 115 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 220 SMG rounds, 32 live cartridges, and a recovered AK-47 rifle were seized. Ibrahim was identified as a major arms supplier linked to bandit groups and several kidnapping cases in the North.
He added that the command also tracked and arrested three suspects in Anambra State over the kidnapping of two persons in Asaba on October 3. A total of N4.1 million ransom was recovered, with investigations ongoing to apprehend other accomplices.
Abaniwonda further disclosed that on October 31, Eagle Net operatives arrested one Ovioma Andrew along Ughelli–Warri Road with a locally made single-barrel gun and a walkie-talkie concealed in a sack during a stop-and-search operation.
Also, on October 30, operatives of Bomadi Division arrested a 62-year-old woman, Charter Timide, conveying 178 live cartridges concealed in a bag along Bomadi–Tuomo Road. She was taken into custody for further investigation.
The CP stated that operatives in Ekpan Division rescued three kidnapped victims at Ubeji community on October 30 and arrested seven suspects found hiding in an abandoned poultry house. The victims were reunited with their families.
Abaniwonda revealed that the command equally arrested two suspected cultists, Donatus Odovo and Zachariah Okeh, in Aviara community, recovering two locally made guns and six live cartridges. The suspects, he said, were members of the Eiye confraternity.
In another development, a gun runner, Mordi Emmanuel, was arrested along Asaba–Benin Expressway with a fabricated Beretta pistol and four live ammunition. A search of his residence led to the recovery of a pump-action shotgun and four live cartridges.
He said operatives of ‘A’ Division, Warri, also recovered a locally made double-barrel gun, an axe, and cartridges from suspected cultists during intensified night patrols around Ubeji community.
Abaniwonda further narrated how operatives rescued a kidnapped woman at Ovian Aladja after armed men broke into her apartment. Persistent pursuit forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim. She was rescued unhurt.
In another breakthrough, Crack Squad operatives arrested suspected drug barons at Effurun GRA with a large consignment of illicit drugs including 450 bottles of codeine and 208 sachets of tramadol. The suspects, he said, are being profiled for prosecution.
He noted that other operations led to the arrest of armed robbery suspects in Ibusa, Adheje, and Sapele, with recoveries including pump-action guns, locally made long guns, ATM cards, laptops, and fetish items.
Summarising the command’s achievements, CP Abaniwonda said 13 firearms, 591 rounds of ammunition, and N4.1 million ransom were recovered, while 77 suspects were arrested and five kidnapped victims rescued. He appealed to residents to continue supporting the police by providing timely information to aid in the fight against crime.
He also urged Deltans to report suspicious movements through the police control room number 08036684974, assuring that the command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
