The Delta State Police Command has rescued an abducted three-year-old girl, arrested a suspect linked to the crime, and recovered illegal firearms in separate operations.

The command described the operations as fresh breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

Confirming the development, the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said operatives of the Command Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS), Sector 2, Ughelli, successfully rescued the child and arrested one Kelvin Ogaga following a coordinated intelligence-led operation.

According to him, the suspect, a commercial motorcyclist entrusted by the victim’s family with taking the child to school daily, allegedly abducted the girl after picking her up and later demanded a ransom of N500,000 from the family.

The incident was reported to the police on May 18, 2026, by the child’s father after the suspect allegedly disappeared with the girl.

Following negotiations with the abductors, the family paid the demanded ransom to secure the child’s release.

Edafe stated that operatives stormed the suspect’s hideout in Ughelli, where Kelvin Ogaga was arrested based on credible technical intelligence.

“The police recovered N127,000 suspected to be part of the ransom money, valuables allegedly purchased with proceeds of the crime, and the motorcycle reportedly used in carrying out the abduction. The suspect is currently in police custody while investigations continue,” he said.

In another operation, operatives attached to the Department of Operations Buffalo Team recovered a Beretta pistol during a patrol along the Power Line axis in Bonsaac.

The operatives sighted a suspicious man carrying a black bag, but the suspect fled immediately after noticing the patrol team.

Although the suspect escaped arrest, security operatives recovered the abandoned bag, which contained a Beretta pistol and an iPhone.

The police said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspect and determine the circumstances surrounding the recovered firearm.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Ozoro Division also arrested a suspected cultist during a township patrol along Omovutotu Street in Ozoro.

The suspect, identified as Michael Monday, allegedly attempted to escape upon sighting the police patrol team but was apprehended after a chase.

A search of a black handbag in his possession led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun and one live cartridge.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is allegedly a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, popularly known as “Aro Bagger”.

Edafe said the suspect remains in custody while further investigations continue.
Photo and caption: Suspect with victims