Kidnappers flee with suspected gunshot injuries as Delta Police intensify crackdown across Agbor, Abbi and Oghara
The Delta State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities, rescuing a 60-year-old kidnap victim, arresting 10 suspects during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout and recovering a locally made firearm and suspected illicit drugs.
The operations, carried out in different parts of Delta State on September 4, 2026, took place in Agbor, Abbi and Oghara, according to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe.
In Agbor, police operatives rescued a 60-year-old man who had earlier been kidnapped by suspected armed criminals.
According to the Command, operatives attached to the Agbor Division acted on intelligence and mobilised to Alisime Village at about 6pm on September 4, alongside forest guards and other local security personnel.
The police team reportedly engaged the kidnappers during the operation and successfully rescued the victim unharmed.
The suspected kidnappers, however, fled into the surrounding bush.
Police said the fleeing suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the operation.
A mobile phone and an ATM card were recovered at the scene, while the area was subsequently cordoned off.
The Delta State Police Command said a manhunt has been launched for the fleeing suspects.
In another operation, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cult Unit, CACU, Ozoro, raided a brothel in Abbi following intelligence that a suspect wanted in connection with an arson case in Owhelogbo Community was allegedly hiding there.
The operation was carried out at about 9:30pm on September 4.
Police arrested 10 suspects, comprising seven females and three males, during the raid.
The operatives also recovered substances suspected to be illicit drugs, including Tramadol, Swinol, Canadian Loud and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
Police said the suspects are currently being profiled, while those found to have links with criminal activities will face prosecution.
The raid forms part of the Command’s continuing operations against suspected criminal hideouts and locations believed to be used by criminals across the state.
In Oghara, police operatives also recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun following a report of a violent scuffle involving about eight persons along Ibori Road.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 7:30pm on September 4.
Operatives of the Oghara Division, working alongside a civilian anti-cult group, responded to the report and moved to the area.
On sighting the security team, the suspects reportedly fled.
Police said one of the fleeing suspects, identified by the alias “Highest,” allegedly discarded a locally made cut-to-size firearm while escaping.
The gun was recovered by the operatives.
Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the suspect known as “Highest” and other persons who fled from the scene.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, commended the police operatives and other security personnel involved in the operations.
The Commissioner also directed that efforts be intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.
CP Erale assured residents that the Command would continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing, raid identified criminal hideouts and maintain patrol operations across Delta State.
He also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the police in preventing and detecting crime.
The latest operations come as the Delta State Police Command continues its campaign against kidnapping, armed violence, cult-related crimes and drug activities across different communities in the state.
Police said investigations into the separate cases are ongoing.
IBN NEWS — FEARLESS, STRONG & RELIABLE.
