The Delta State Police Command has successfully apprehended five suspects linked to kidnapping, robbery, and cultism, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against crime in the region.
In a statement released on Thursday, SP Edafe Bright, the command’s spokesperson, detailed the arrests, which include three individuals, Yakubu Ya’u (20), Musa Yakubu (25), and Abdulahi Mohammed (38), a Cameroonian national, who were implicated in a series of kidnappings.
The statement explained, “Intelligence gathered on kidnapping incidents in the Warri area pointed to Yakubu Ya’u, a 20-year-old suspect from Kaduna who frequently visits Oha and Ughwagba Communities in Okpe LGA to kidnap residents for ransom. On May 11, 2024, at approximately 17:43 hours, following coordinated efforts by police operatives from the command and the Force Intelligence Unit in Abuja, the DPO Orerokpe, CSP Paul Oboware, led his patrol teams to Warri, where Yakubu Ya’u was apprehended after a thorough search.”
Further investigations led to the capture of two additional key gang members: Musa Yakubu, a 25-year-old from Kogi State, and Abdulahi Mohammed, a 38-year-old from Cameroon, on May 12, 2024, at around 10:49 hours. The suspects were identified by victims and guided detectives to Ughwagba Community, where two automatic pump-action guns, one live cartridge, and a knife were recovered from a hidden cache in the bush.
The command confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members.
In another notable operation, police officers from the Ozoro division arrested 22-year-old Michael Udo on May 10. A search of his residence uncovered a locally made revolver gun and two live cartridges, and investigations continue.
Additionally, the command reported the arrest of Chinedu Okolo, 31, on Tuesday in Obiaruku, following a distress call about a forced cult initiation. The statement noted, “On May 14, 2024, at 03:00 hours, the DPO Obiaruku Division received a distress report about an individual being coerced into cult initiation. Acting on this information, the DPO mobilized operatives who arrested Chinedu Okolo from Ezhionum Community.” The operation also led to the recovery of a locally made double-barreled pistol and the victim’s stolen phone, with efforts continuing to capture other suspects involved.
This series of arrests highlights the Delta State Police Command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of its residents. This success follows a similar operation in March, where the command announced the capture of two suspected kidnappers and four suspected cultists, reinforcing their dedication to maintaining law and order in the state.
