By Peter Ogege
Delta State Police Command has again recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on violent crime, with the arrest of suspected kidnappers, rescue of three abducted victims, and recovery of 178 live cartridges in separate operations across the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Asaba, noting that the operations were carried out through intelligence-led policing and swift tactical response in Bomadi, Asaba, and Ubeji communities.
According to the statement, operatives of the Bomadi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Adie Peter Bissong, while on a joint stop-and-search operation with local vigilantes along the Bomadi–Tuomo Road on Thursday, intercepted a motorcycle conveying a 62-year-old woman identified as Charter Timide.
A search of her luggage reportedly led to the discovery of a concealed sack containing 178 live cartridges neatly packed for delivery. The suspect, who confessed to having purchased the cartridges from the Onitsha Main Market, has been transferred to the State Headquarters for further investigation to determine possible links with armed groups or illegal arms dealers.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Ekpan Division, led by CSP Labe Joseph, responded to a distress call about a suspected kidnapping at Ubeji Community, behind the Ubeji Gas Plant.
On sighting the police team, the suspects fled into an abandoned poultry house, but officers swiftly cordoned off the area, leading to the arrest of seven suspects — Felix Omone (33), Solomon Omone (29), Tony Eboye (34), Omone David (32), Jerry Omone (33), Godspower Omone (25), and Edewho Bomele (33) — all from Ubeji Community.
Three kidnapped victims, all from Jeddo Community, were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted at a dredging site in Ubeji and ferried across a river before their captors demanded ransom.
SP Edafe added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, commended the professionalism and rapid response of the officers involved in the operations. He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to stamp out kidnapping, armed robbery, and the proliferation of illegal arms in Delta State.
The CP urged residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest police station or through the Command’s control room number: 08036684974.
