Police nap 10 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers in Delta

Operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad of the Delta State Police Command have arrested 10 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers in coordinated operations across the state.

The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, and made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday. According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended during intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing criminal activities in the state.

According to the statement, on January 20, 2026, at about 4:30 a.m., operatives of the squad, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a coordinated follow-up operation linked to reported cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in Obinoba, Obiaruku, Abraka, Ororokpe and neighbouring communities.

“The intelligence-led operation, which was executed along the Jedo/Ugboton–Warri axis, saw operatives discreetly trail a suspect to a notorious criminal hideout allegedly operated by one Oke Jerry Ekokodjie (male) and one Ibori (surname unknown).

“Upon storming the location, the principal suspects — Oke Jerry Ekokodjie and Ibori — alongside three others, were arrested, while some members of the gang escaped through adjoining creeks and waterways.

“A thorough search of the premises led to the recovery of one locally fabricated Beretta-style pistol with three rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one black Mercedes-Benz GLK, one battle axe, illicit substances in commercial quantity, and one Point-of-Sale (POS) machine,” the statement read.

Edafe said the suspects are currently in police custody, undergoing further investigation, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.

In a separate operation, the PPRO disclosed that on January 22, 2026, at about 2:56 a.m., operatives from the Obiaruku Division conducted a targeted raid on a suspected cultist’s hideout in Amai Community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

During the operation, five suspects were arrested. They include Frank Etiyemonu (36), Chinedu Emeka (25), Festus Nwadiche (26), Azuju Onowu (29), and Ozor Blessing (29).

A search of the hideout led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, two battle axes, quantities of Indian hemp and other suspected hard drugs, as well as other dangerous weapons.

The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, commended the operatives “for their professionalism and effective use of actionable intelligence.”

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ridding Delta State of criminal elements through sustained, proactive and intelligence-driven policing, and urged residents to remain vigilant and support the police with timely and credible information, assuring them of strict confidentiality.

In a similar operation, it was reported that the Delta State Police Command had begun a manhunt for six suspected kidnappers who fled during an exchange of gunfire with its operatives in the Upper Agbarho area of the state.

The police also said they recovered arms and ammunition from the suspects, who were allegedly attempting to carry out a kidnapping before being intercepted by operatives.