The Police in Delta State have arrested about 211 suspects linked to kidnapping, cultism, Internet fraud, drug dealing and ritual activities. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this at a briefing in Asaba yesterday.
  
The extensive operation, which spanned the month of July 2025, also led to the recovery of 18 firearms, 359 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, 378 laptops and mobile phones, as well as N8.5 million suspected ransom money, he said.
  
Among the more unusual seizures were three live tortoises allegedly used for fortification rituals by criminal gangs. The police boss revealed that on July 30, a combined team of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad and the Nigerian Army from the 63rd Brigade stormed a kidnappers’ hideout in Ogwashi-Uku forest.

According to him, the operation followed the abduction of two female students from a polytechnic in Asagba Ogwashi on July 23, 2025. Olufemi said the team engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle that left two suspects dead. An AK-47 rifle, 39 live rounds of ammunition, and a bag containing N3.5 million believed to be ransom money were recovered from the scene.
 
He further said the police carried out a sting operation on July 27, where operatives arrested a notorious kidnapper identified as Chiadiji Collins, aka “Smooth,” aged 42.
  
“Acting on intelligence, police tracked him to his home in Ewulu community, Aniocha South Local Council, where they recovered an AK-47 rifle and 40 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
  
“Further investigations led to the arrest of an accomplice, Ezechie Andrew, from whom two pump action guns and two cartridges were seized”. Both men are believed to be behind multiple abductions across Ogwashi-Uku and Issele-Uku,” Olufemi added  According to him, the police also uncovered a ritual syndicate allegedly led by one Owei Abebo, aka “Adusa. ”

Acting on intelligence about a planned abduction of high-profile individuals in Sapele and Oghara, the CP-Special Assignment Team arrested a 35-year-old herbalist, Peter Benson, in Kwale. Under interrogation, Benson led the police to Joseph Saniyo, 63, in Edo State, who was found with three live tortoises and other fetish items suspected to be used for ritual fortification.
 
“Subsequent arrests included the gang leader, Abebo, aged 42, and his associates, Ebi Maye, 41, and Happy Obegha, 39. The police recovered 247 rounds of SMG live ammunition from the suspects,” he stated.
  
Regarding Internet fraudsters, the CP hinted that on July 21, a joint operation by the Police and the Army led to the arrest of 184 suspected Internet fraudsters during a raid at a residence in Post Housing Estate, Effurun. Among the items seized were 273 laptops, 97 smart phones, an iPad, two Wi-Fi routers, and other electronic devices.
 
One of the key suspects arrested was 33-year-old Kelvin Odini. Police say investigations are ongoing, with digital forensic analysis expected to unravel the scope of the syndicate’s operations.
  
Olufemi also disclosed at that in a separate raid on July 30, 2025 at Big Gate Campus 3, Abraka, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested three suspected cultists: Benjamin Okwufulueze , 21, Augustine Ifeanyi, 22, and Iruma Japheth , 27.
  
He emphasised the command’s commitment to making the state uninhabitable for criminals through proactive, intelligence-driven measures. He added a locally made Beretta pistol with four live rounds was recovered along with cult paraphernalia, including a black cap with “Eiye” insignia and a battle axe.
 Photos: Use the two together Delta recovery 1 and Delta recovery 2. Caption: The recovered exhibits, yesterday