Nigerian Police Arrest Five Suspected K!dnappers In Delta, R£scue V!ctims
Nigerian Police Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers In Delta, Rescue Victims
The police explained that the incident was reported on February 4, 2026 at about 1700hrs, following the abduction of a group of travellers who were ambushed by armed hoodlums.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers and rescued victims following an investigation into an abduction incident along the Warri–Sapele Road.
The Command disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the arrests and rescue were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle a kidnapping syndicate operating in parts of the state.
According to the statement, “The Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the investigation of a kidnapping incident that occurred on February 1, 2026, at about 2000hrs, along the Warri–Sapele Road by Adeje Community, culminating in the rescue of victims, arrest of key members of a notorious syndicate, and recovery of firearms.”
The police explained that the incident was reported on February 4, 2026 at about 1700hrs, following the abduction of a group of travellers who were ambushed by armed hoodlums.
“The assailants, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, forcefully took the victims into the bush,” the statement said.
The Command added that two of the victims escaped and raised alarm, which prompted a joint security response.
“Two of the victims managed to escape and promptly raised alarm, triggering a coordinated response involving the Police, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilantes,” it stated.
It further noted that “sustained pressure from the joint security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the remaining victims, who were subsequently rescued unhurt.”
As part of the investigation, operatives of the Orerokpe Division arrested one suspect, Dafiaga Timothy, on 4 February 2026 while attempting to withdraw money using one of the victim’s ATM cards at a POS point in Adeje Community.
“The DPO Orerokpe Division was directed to transfer the case to CP-Special Assignment Team for discreet and further investigation,” the Command stated.
Subsequent operations led to additional arrests. On 31 March 2026 at about 1600hrs, operatives apprehended Samuel Omonigho, 31, in Kokori Community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, and Henry Christmas, 22, in Adeje Community, Okpe Local Government Area.
Further arrests were made on 5 April 2026 at about 1445hrs, when Ovo Wilson Junior, also known as “Sheboy”, 24, was arrested in Mereje Community, Okpe Local Government Area, and Emakpo Ubiaro Abel, 36, was arrested in Ughwagba Community, also in Okpe Local Government Area.
The police said investigations indicated that Abel was involved in transporting members of the group. “Investigation revealed that Emakpo Ubiaro Abel is a tricycle rider who conveys the gang members to and from their operational locations,” the statement noted.
In a follow-up operation on 13 April 2026 at about 0535hrs, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team conducted a search at a hideout in Oka Junction, Agbarho, where weapons were recovered.
“A thorough search led to the recovery of one fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition and one locally made gun with seven live cartridges,” the statement said.
The Command added that “the syndicate has been linked to series of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across Warri, Sapele, Agbarho, Ughelli, and adjoining areas.”
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, also “commended the synergy between security agencies and the vigilance of community members which contributed to the success of the operations.”
The police said investigations are ongoing.
