THE Delta State Police Command has recorded breakthroughs in its fight against crime and criminality across the state, with the arrest of over 70 suspects, the recovery of 13 firearms, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, and the rescue of kidnapped victims in October 2025.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters, Asaba, where he presented what he described as the Command’s “scorecard of operational successes” achieved through intelligence-led policing, community collaboration, and sustained tactical operations.
Highlighting some of the notable achievements, CP Abaniwonda revealed that operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, neutralised a suspected kidnapper and rescued a female victim unhurt in Obinomba community, recovering an AK-47 rifle and 12 rounds of live ammunition in the process.
Similarly, a combined operation of the CP’s Special Assignment Team and the Force Technical Intelligence Unit led to the arrest of a female accomplice and a notorious arms dealer, Ahmed Ibrahim, in Warri.
A total of 115 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 220 rounds of SMG ammunition, and 32 live cartridges were recovered during the operation.
In another major success, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad arrested three suspected kidnappers in Anambra State, recovering ₦4.1 million of ransom money paid by victims kidnapped in Asaba.
The Commissioner said the arrests were made following a detailed financial trail and intelligence tracking of the suspects’ bank transactions.
The Command also intercepted arms and ammunition in several parts of the state. A 62-year-old woman conveying 178 live cartridges to the Tuomo community was arrested in Bomadi, while an arms dealer was apprehended along the Asaba–Benin Expressway with a fabricated Beretta pistol, a pump-action shotgun, and live ammunition.
Other operations led to the arrest of suspected cultists and armed robbers in Aviara, Warri, Ekpan, and Ibusa communities, with the recovery of various firearms, including locally made double-barrel and single-barrel guns, a pump-action shotgun, and other exhibits.
CP Abaniwonda further disclosed that the Command rescued five kidnapped victims within the period under review, while a total of 77 suspects were apprehended for various offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, gun running, and drug trafficking.
In one such case, operatives arrested a suspected drug baron in Effurun with over 400 bottles of codeine, hundreds of sachets of tramadol, and other controlled substances.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, stressing that the successes recorded were the result of renewed intelligence sharing and cooperation between the police and the public.
“Delta State will not be a haven for criminals. We are determined to sustain the tempo of our operations and ensure that every resident feels safe,” CP Abaniwonda assured.
He commended the dedication of officers and men of the Command as well as the support of the State Government and local communities in the ongoing fight against crime.
