RismadarVoice Reporters
October 24, 2026
The Delta State Police Command has announced the rescue of a 23-year-old kidnapping victim and the arrest of eight suspects during separate security operations conducted across the state between October 20 and 23.
The operations also resulted in the recovery of three firearms, live cartridges and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to Edafe, operatives of the Owa-Oyibu Police Division, working alongside local volunteer groups, rescued a young man abducted at Owa-Alero on October 19.
The victim was reportedly seized outside his residence by two suspected kidnappers and taken into a nearby bush.
Following a complaint lodged by his brother, security operatives launched a search of the surrounding area, leading to his rescue on October 20.
The police said the suspected abductors escaped and that efforts were continuing to apprehend them.
In a separate operation on October 23, personnel of the Violent Crime Response Unit raided a hotel in Abraka suspected of being used for drug-related activities.
Six suspected cultists were arrested during the raid, while officers recovered a firearm and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The command said some individuals fled the premises when officers arrived, adding that investigations were underway to establish the ownership of the recovered weapon.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Sector III, Ubuluku, carried out two separate operations in Ekuku-Agbor community, Ika South Local Government Area.
On October 21, officers searched the residence of 62-year-old Richard Nmorsi under a warrant and reportedly recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, 24 live cartridges and suspected Indian hemp.
Nmorsi was arrested and taken into police custody.
Two days later, officers searched the residence of another suspect, 56-year-old Amechi Osemeke, recovering a double-barrel firearm and one live cartridge.
Osemeke was also arrested as investigators sought to establish the circumstances surrounding his possession of the weapon.
Delta State Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations targeting kidnapping, cultism and the illegal possession of firearms.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies.
The police said investigations into the separate incidents were continuing. No convictions have been reported.
