Police Arrest Suspects, Recover Rifles in Delta Anti-kidnapping Operations

The Delta State Police Command says it has recorded significant successes in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping and illegal arms trafficking, following coordinated intelligence-led operations that led to multiple arrests and the recovery of firearms and ammunition.

Police spokesperson Bright Edafe disclosed that operatives of the Ughelli-based tactical team carried out the operations between April 23 and 24, 2026, targeting criminal groups operating within Delta State and across neighbouring areas.

According to him, the breakthrough came on April 24 at about 6:30 p.m. when officers arrested a 22-year-old suspect, Ahmadu Usman, in the Ekuigbo area of Ughelli. He was allegedly linked to a kidnapping syndicate responsible for attacks along the Ughelli–Warri Road.

Edafe said further interrogation led operatives to the Trailer Park along the Warri–Sapele Road, where another suspect, Haruna Abdullahi, 37, was arrested. An AK-47 rifle loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was recovered during the operation. Both suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.

In a separate operation on April 23, police arrested another suspect in Ughelli in connection with an inter-state gun-running and kidnapping network. The suspect was reportedly apprehended alongside Haruna Jibrin, 30, who investigators said was tasked with transporting arms from Ughelli to Port Harcourt.

Follow-up operations on April 24 extended to Port Harcourt, where another suspected accomplice, Isiyaku Adamu, 38, was arrested. Police also recovered an AK-47 rifle intended for delivery, along with a blue Toyota Corolla allegedly used by the syndicate.

The Command said investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider criminal network, identify additional collaborators, and establish links to other kidnapping incidents across state borders.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and illegal arms trafficking.

He assured residents that sustained intelligence-driven operations would continue until criminal networks are fully dismantled, with the aim of restoring safety on highways and boosting public confidence across the state.