Delta State Police Command has rescued a 23-year-old kidnap victim, arrested eight suspects and recovered three firearms, 26 live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp in separate security operations across the state.
The command’s public relations officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, explaining that operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Division, working with local volunteer groups, rescued the victim on October 20, a day after he was abducted at Owa-Alero.
According to the police, the victim was kidnapped in front of his residence by two suspected kidnappers and dragged into a nearby bush.
Following a report by his brother, police operatives launched an intensive search of the surrounding bushes, leading to the victim’s rescue the next day.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing abductors.
In a separate operation on October 23, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit raided a hotel in Abraka suspected of serving as a hideout for drug-related activities.
Six suspected cultists were arrested during the operation, while a bag containing a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp was recovered. Some individuals reportedly fled upon sighting the operatives.
The police said investigations were underway to establish the ownership and source of the recovered firearm and identify other persons connected with the incident.
Similarly, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Sector III, Ubuluku, on October 21 raided the residence of a 62-year-old suspect, Richard Nmorsi, in Ekuku-Agbor community, Ika South Local Government Area.
The search, conducted with a warrant, led to the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, 24 live cartridges and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
Nmorsi was arrested, while the recovered exhibits were taken into custody for further investigation.
In another operation on October 23, operatives of the same unit raided the residence of a 56-year-old suspect, Amechi Osemeke, also in Ekuku-Agbor.
During the search, which was conducted with a warrant, the police recovered a serviceable double-barrel firearm and one live cartridge.
Osemeke was arrested, while investigations continued to determine the circumstances surrounding his possession of the firearm.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel Erale, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining security operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and recovering illegally possessed weapons.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police, assuring them that the command would continue to work towards safeguarding lives and property across the state.
