Police bust Delta kidnap syndicate, rescue abducted travellers, arrest five
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have dismantled a kidnapping syndicate operating along the Warri–Sapele axis, rescuing abducted travellers, arresting five suspects, and recovering firearms. The incident occurred on
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have dismantled a kidnapping syndicate operating along the Warri–Sapele axis, rescuing abducted travellers, arresting five suspects, and recovering firearms.
The incident occurred on February 1, 2026, along the Warri–Sapele Road near Adeje Community, where armed hoodlums ambushed and abducted a group of travellers.
Spokesman Bright Edafe said in a statement on Friday that two victims escaped and raised the alarm, prompting a joint rescue operation involving the police, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilantes.
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He said sustained pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon the remaining victims, who were later rescued unhurt.
Edafe also said police operatives from Orerokpe Division arrested the first suspect, Dafiaga Timothy, on February 4, 2026, while attempting to withdraw money using one of the victims’ ATM cards at a POS point in Adeje Community.
He said the case was subsequently transferred to the CP Special Assignment Team for further investigation.
The spokesman said following intelligence-led operations, police arrested two additional suspects, Samuel Omonigho, 31, and Henry Christmas, 22, on March 31, 2026, in Kokori Community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, and Adeje Community, Okpe LGA, respectively.
Edafe said police apprehended two more suspects on April 5, 2026: Ovo Wilson Junior, also known as “Sheboy,” 24, in Mereje Community, and Emakpo Ubiaro Abel, 36, in Ughwagba Community. He stated that investigations revealed that Abel, a tricycle rider, transported gang members to and from their operational locations.
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Edafe noted, "In a follow-up operation on 13 April 2026 at Oka Junction, Agbarho, police recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol with three rounds of live ammunition and a locally made gun loaded with seven cartridges from the gang’s hideout.
"The syndicate is linked to multiple kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across Warri, Sapele, Agbarho, Ughelli, and neighbouring areas."
Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the collaboration among security agencies and community members, noting that it was instrumental to the success of the operation.
