The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 48-year-old woman kidnapped in Oghara and arrested 54 suspected cultists in separate operations across the state.
The operations also led to the recovery of a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, a live cartridge and substances suspected to be cannabis.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Bright Edafe disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
In Oghara, the Divisional Police Officer, Oghara Division, led operatives of the division, Quick Response Squad, vigilantes and hunters into Ovade Forest on September 23, 2026, following a distress call over the kidnap of a woman.
Police said the security team encountered about four suspected kidnappers in the forest, who engaged them in a gun duel before retreating and abandoning the victim.
The woman was subsequently rescued unhurt.
During the pursuit of the fleeing suspects, one unidentified suspect was found lifeless, while another suspect, identified as Abubakhar Sani, was apprehended with gunshot injuries. The police said both suspects were later confirmed dead at a hospital.
A dagger, NIN slip, OPay Verve card, Tecno mobile phone and other personal effects were recovered during the operation.
The rescued woman was said to be stable and undergoing debriefing, while efforts were continuing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
Meanwhile, police arrested 50 suspected cultists during separate operations in Eku and Obiaruku.
On September 19, operatives of Abraka Division, supported by personnel of the State Intelligence Department and local vigilantes, stormed a suspected cult initiation gathering in Eku following credible intelligence.
Thirty suspects, comprising 29 males and one female, were arrested. Preliminary investigations indicated that the gathering was allegedly connected with the initiation of new members into the Black Axe Confraternity.
The suspects were subsequently transferred to the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), Sector 2, Ozoro, for further investigation.
Further intelligence obtained during the investigation led CACU operatives to Obiaruku on September 20, where another 20 suspects — 15 males and five females — were arrested over suspected cult-related activities.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the individual involvement of the suspects.
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In another operation on September 20, four male suspected cultists were arrested in Ubulu-Uku in connection with a suspected cult-related killing.
The suspects, identified as Okwudili Ozah, 34; Chekwube Onwuka, 18; Onyebe Emmanuel, 19; and Ozoremenem Izuchukwu, 21, were handed over to CACU in Asaba for further investigation.
Police said the suspects were suspected members of the Supreme Vikings and Eiye confraternities.
Operatives recovered a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge and a quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis during the operation.
The victim of the suspected killing was taken to a medical facility, where he was confirmed dead. His remains were subsequently deposited at a mortuary for autopsy.
The police said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing and establish the individual involvement of the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, commended police operatives and other security stakeholders involved in the operations.
Erale reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
He warned criminal elements to desist from such activities or face the consequences of the law, while assuring residents that the Command would continue efforts to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegally held weapons and bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
