Delta police arrest kidnapper Chiadiji Collins, cultists near varsity

From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri

A 42-year-old notorious suspected kidnapper known as Chiadiji Collins, alias “Smooth,” reportedly on the police watchlist, has been arrested after operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) stormed his criminal hideout along Ibusa Road, near Asaba, Delta State.

Smooth is alleged to be responsible for a series of kidnapping activities within the Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, and Asaba axis.

He was arrested following a police clampdown, acting on credible intelligence on the activities of some suspected kidnappers in Ogwashi-Uku, Ubuluku, and Isseluku, on Saturday, July 27, 2025.

It was gathered that operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, in a combined effort with operatives from the command’s X-Squad and Buffalo Patrol Teams, effected the arrest.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in a statement, said that upon interrogation of the suspect, he led operatives to his residence at Ewulu community in Aniocha South LGA, Delta State, where a search warrant was executed, during which one AK-47 rifle and forty (40) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered.

According to Edafe, preliminary investigation also led to the arrest of one Ezechie Andrew of the same community, in whose possession two pump-action guns and two live cartridges were recovered.

He disclosed that both suspects are gang members suspected to be involved in a series of kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku, Isseluku, and other parts of Delta State.

They are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing, he added.

Equally, operatives of the Command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS), while acting on credible information, on Tuesday, July 30, 2025, stormed a criminal hideout at Big Gate, Campus III, Delta State University, Abraka, where 21-year-old Benjamin Okwufuluezen was arrested.

The police also arrested 22-year-old Augustine Ifeanyi and 27-year-old Iruma Japheth, and recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol with four live ammunition rounds.

Also recovered from the suspects were one black cap with an Eiye inscription and one battle axe. Suspects confessed to being members of the Eiye Confraternity.

Edafe said that all the suspects are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, urged parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from all forms of criminality and cult-related activities and also advised members of the public to contact the police and report any suspicious persons or movements in their environment.