Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Olufemi Abaniwonda, said the command arrested 50 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists. He spoke in Abuja after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) conference:
“Within July and August 2024, the command dealt with criminals in the state. We have charged the suspects to court to face the wrath of the law. “Today, you will observe that activities of kidnappers and armed robbers have dropped astronomically. The command is aware of the likely upsurge in crime in this ‘ember’ season.
“Operation order has been issued to all area commanders, DPOs and tactical commanders. There will be increased visibility policing and raiding of black spots and criminal hideouts.
“Operatives neutralised some kidnappers and armed robbers terrorising Udu Local Government, Warri. The suspects, including two females, were involved in various operations.
“The police in Oghara Division burst the hideouts of kidnappers in a bush along Otefe/Ovade Legit Road. During their stop-and-search along Otefe Ijomi Community Road, they arrested two students of Delta State Polytechnics. They are members of Arrow Barer Confraternity.
“The CP Special Squad base in Ughelli arrested three suspected kidnappers in Ewu in Ughelli South LG. Police in Ofuoma Division arrested three suspected cultists who are members of Black Axe Confraternity.
“Police operatives also arrested two suspected kidnappers in Kokori, Ethiope East LG, who kidnapped victims on February 17, 2024. They collected N5million ransom transferred to an unknown bank account by the hoodlums. Another three suspects were arrested in Sapele.
“The Police Dragon on patrol along Asaba/Agbor Expressway arrested a suspect along with a Toyota car. Three hundred and twenty packs of codeine, 125 sachets of tramadol and other hard drugs in large quantities were recovered from them.”