Operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad of the Delta State Police Command have rescued a 27-year-old woman and other victims from a kidnap syndicate operating along the Ibusa/Ogwashi-Uku forests.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bright Edafe.
According to the statement, the operation followed intelligence on the abduction of the woman from Ibusa Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area on March 12, 2026.
The police said the victim was held at a building site near Obosi River along Ibusa/Ogwashi-Uku Road.
Upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, directed the anti-kidnapping squad to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and arrest of the suspects.
“Acting on this directive, on March 19, 2026, at about 1500hrs, the Commander, Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad, led operatives on the trail of the kidnappers,” the statement read.
Edafe noted that the suspects opened fire on the police team as they approached the hideout.
“Upon approaching their hideout, the kidnappers opened fire on the team, but the operatives responded with superior firepower, forcing the kidnappers to flee the scene and abandon their captives,” he said.
The victims were successfully rescued and taken to a General Hospital for treatment, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In a related development, the police arrested a robbery suspect in Owa-Oyibu following a distress call.
Edafe said the Divisional Police Officer received a report on March 18 about an armed robbery incident involving a POS operator.
“At about 0745hrs, one Sunday Blessing and two others robbed a POS operator of N600,000 at gunpoint at Diffrey Road by Ebu Owa Market,” he stated.
The police swiftly deployed operatives, leading to the arrest of one of the suspects.
“A locally made Beretta pistol was recovered from the suspect, who is currently in custody, while investigation is ongoing,” Edafe added.
