Delta Police Nab Five Over Kidnap Plot, Cult-Related Murder; Recover Pistol, Weapons
By Naomi Onome
The Delta State Police Command has recorded fresh breakthroughs in its fight against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, rescuing a 25-year-old woman allegedly held hostage and arresting five suspects in separate operations across the state.
The operations also led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine, two rounds of live ammunition, a battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, October 4, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the victim was rescued on October 3 following credible intelligence shared between the Ovwian-Aladja and Otu-Jeremi Divisions.
Edafe said that at about 8:30 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Otu-Jeremi mobilised operatives to Usiefrun Community, where a 25-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and held hostage.
The victim was rescued, while a 29-year-old suspect, identified as Brotugbare Francis Onome, was arrested.
A search of the premises allegedly led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition.
The police said investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Two arrested over cult-related murder
In a separate operation, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged cult-related murder of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey.
The suspects, Ezekiel Sunday Izomor, 23, and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, 23, were arrested on October 1 at a suspected criminal hideout in Oghara following intelligence obtained from a video that went viral, allegedly showing suspected cultists celebrating the killing.
The victim was reportedly killed at Jesse Main Market, Ethiope West Local Government Area, on March 24, 2026.
Police said a battle axe, four cutlasses and one hammer were recovered during the operation.
Preliminary investigation, according to the Command, indicated that one of the suspects still at large, identified as Collins, was allegedly seeking to become the leader of the Aro Bagger confraternity and was said to have planned the murder of a rival cult member as part of his bid to attain the position.
The police further alleged that Collins connived with the two arrested suspects and another suspect identified as Richman, described as a close friend of the deceased.
Collins and Richman are currently at large, while the police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
The two arrested suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.
Two arrested over alleged kidnap plot
Also on October 1, at about 5:30 p.m., the Abraka Police Division received information concerning an alleged plan to kidnap a woman in Abraka.
Following credible intelligence, operatives of the division, working alongside members of the civilian anti-cult operatives, arrested two suspects identified as Endurance Akpade, 37, and Edwin Friday Morgan, 43.
Read more:Delta Police Recover Stolen Toyota Corolla, Arrest Two Suspected Drug Dealers
The suspects have been taken into police custody and are assisting with the investigation into the alleged kidnap plot.
Reacting to the developments, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, commended the operatives for their swift response and effective intelligence sharing.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes in the state.
The CP also urged members of the public to continue providing the police with credible and timely information that could assist in preventing and solving crimes.
Erale further admonished youths to shun cultism, warning that involvement in cult activities could destroy their future.
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