The Delta State Police Command has reported the death of two suspected kidnappers and armed robbers following a gun battle with police operatives and local vigilantes during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The operation, which took place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, 26 rounds of live ammunition and two face masks, according to a statement issued by the police command on Sunday.
IBN News reports that operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), working in collaboration with the Ughelli Vigilante, carried out the operation at about 8:35 p.m. after acting on what the command described as credible intelligence.
The raid targeted a suspected criminal hideout in a forest at Ekrerhavwe, Ughelli North Local Government Area.
According to the police, the suspects opened fire upon sighting the approaching operatives, triggering a gun duel between the two sides. During the exchange of gunfire, two suspects sustained gunshot injuries, while other members of the group escaped into the surrounding forest.
The injured suspects were immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention but were subsequently confirmed dead by a doctor, the police said.
The AK-47 rifle, 26 rounds of live ammunition and two face masks were recovered during the operation. The command did not disclose the identities of the deceased suspects or provide further details about the criminal activities allegedly linked to the hideout.
Police authorities said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, raising the prospect of further operations as investigators work to dismantle the suspected criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, reiterated the command’s determination to combat kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying criminal hideouts, tracking suspects and preventing further attacks on communities.
The operation comes amid continued security efforts to confront violent crime in Delta State, where cooperation between police operatives, community vigilantes and residents remains important in gathering intelligence and responding to threats.
The recovery of an assault rifle and live ammunition underscores the potential danger posed by armed groups operating from remote locations. However, the full extent of the suspects’ alleged activities and whether the recovered weapon can be linked to specific crimes were not detailed in the police statement.
The Delta State Police Command has appealed for continued public cooperation as the manhunt for the fleeing suspects continues.
The police statement was signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on November 1, 2026, in Asaba.
