The Delta State Police Command says it has arrested 85 suspected criminals, rescued 18 kidnapped victims and recovered 32 firearms during a sustained anti-crime operation conducted across the state over the past two months.
Commissioner of Police Yemi Oyeniyi disclosed the figures while briefing journalists in Asaba, saying the Command’s intensified security operations have dealt significant blows to kidnapping syndicates, armed robbery gangs, cult groups, drug traffickers and other violent criminal networks operating in the state.
According to the police commissioner, the operation, which covered the period from April 29 to the present, was driven by intelligence-led policing, strategic deployment of officers and continuous raids on identified criminal hideouts.
Oyeniyi said four suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operations, while 18 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued from their captors.
He added that five suspects linked to separate murder cases were also apprehended as investigations continue into various violent crimes reported across the state.
The police also recorded major breakthroughs in the fight against cult-related violence, arresting 76 suspected cult members.
According to Oyeniyi, 46 of the suspects have already been charged to court, while investigations are ongoing to determine the involvement of the remaining 30 suspects.
The Commissioner of Police disclosed that seven suspects were arrested for drug-related offences during the period under review.
Five of the suspects have already been prosecuted, while investigations continue in the remaining cases. Security operatives recovered a large cache of weapons during the operations, including:
- Three AK-47 rifles
- Four pump-action guns
- Two Beretta pistols
- Two locally made revolver pistols
- Three locally fabricated cut-to-size firearms
- Seventeen locally made single-barrel guns
- One locally made double-barrel pistol
The recovered weapons brought the total number of firearms seized to 32.
Police also recovered 197 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and 219 live cartridges during separate operations.
The Command also confiscated large quantities of illicit drugs and controlled substances, including Tramadol, Codeine syrup, Rohypnol, Swinol, MDMA (Molly), Canadian Loud, cannabis, Monkey Tail, Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), Tianeptine (popularly known as Zaza), and psychoactive chewing gum known as “HighnessGm.
Oyeniyi attributed the Command’s successes to improved intelligence gathering, proactive policing, enhanced stop-and-search operations and coordinated raids targeting criminal hideouts.
He assured residents that the Delta State Police Command would continue its intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks, improve public safety and maintain law and order across the state.
The commissioner urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing efforts to combat crime and protect lives and property throughout Delta State.
