Delta Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Arrest 54 Suspected Cultists

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... Gun, Live Cartridge, Suspected Cannabis Recovered In Separate Operations


The Delta State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped 48-year-old woman, arrested 54 suspected cultists and recovered a locally made gun, live cartridge and substance suspected to be cannabis in separate operations across the state.

The Command said the kidnapped woman was rescued on September 23, 2026, after operatives of Oghara Division, supported by the Quick Response Squad, vigilantes and hunters, stormed Ovade Forest following a distress call.

According to a statement by the state Police Public RelationsOfficer, SP Bright Edafe, about four suspected kidnappers engaged the security team in a gun duel before retreating and abandoning the victim, who was rescued unhurt.

The operatives reportedly pursued the fleeing suspects, during which two suspects sustained gunshot injuries. One unidentified suspect and another identified as Abubakhar Sani were later confirmed dead at the hospital.

A dagger, NIN slip, OPay Verve card, Tecno mobile phone and other personal effects were recovered.

The victim is said to be stable and undergoing debriefing, while efforts continue to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

In another operation, police arrested 30 suspected cultists during an alleged cult initiation gathering in Eku on September 19.

The suspects comprised 29 males and one female. Police said preliminary investigation indicated that the gathering was allegedly linked to the initiation of new members into the Black Axe Confraternity.

Further intelligence from the investigation led operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit, Sector 2, Ozoro, to Obiaruku on September 20, where 20 additional suspects—15 males and five females—were arrested over suspected cult-related activities.

The Command said investigation is ongoing to establish the individual involvement of the suspects.

Also on September 20, four male suspected cultists were arrested in Ubulu-Uku in connection with a suspected cult-related killing.

The suspects, Okwudili Ozah, 34; Chekwube Onwuka, 18; Onyebe Emmanuel, 19; and Ozoremenem Izuchukwu, 21, were handed over to the Command Anti-Cult Unit in Asaba for further investigation.

Police said the suspects are suspected members of the Supreme Vikings and Eiye confraternities.

One locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge and a quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis were recovered during the operation.

The police said the victim of the alleged killing was taken to a medical facility, where he was confirmed dead, while his remains were deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, commended the police operatives and other security stakeholders involved in the operations.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, warning criminal elements to desist from their activities or face legal consequences.

The Command also assured residents that it would continue efforts to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegally held weapons and bring suspects involved in violent crimes to justice.

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