Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Delta State Police Command has recorded a string of operational successes in its sustained fight against cultism, kidnapping and violent crime, including the rescue of a three-year-old child who was abducted by a commercial motorcyclist entrusted with taking her to school daily, as well as the recovery of two firearms and the arrest of a suspected cultist. The command announced the breakthroughs in a press release issued on Thursday, May 21, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe. The most significant of the operations involved the Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS), Sector 2, Ughelli, which rescued a three-year-old kidnapping victim and arrested one Kelvin Ogaga in connection with the abduction.
According to the police statement, the arrest followed a complaint received on May 18, 2026, from the father of the victim, who reported that his three-year-old daughter had been abducted by a commercial motorcyclist who had been entrusted with taking the child on daily school runs. The suspect, a trusted figure in the family's routine, allegedly kidnapped the child and subsequently demanded a ransom of ₦500,000 from the family. After negotiations, the family paid the demanded ransom to secure the release of the child. Acting on credible technical intelligence, operatives stormed the suspect's hideout in Ughelli, where he was arrested. Recovered from him were the sum of ₦127,000, believed to be part of the ransom money, as well as other valuables allegedly purchased with proceeds of the crime, and the motorcycle used in committing the offence. The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
The case highlights a disturbing trend in which individuals in positions of trust, including commercial motorcyclists, domestic staff, and even relatives, turn on families by abducting children for ransom. The victim's father had placed his confidence in the suspect to transport his daughter to and from school each day, a routine that made the child vulnerable to the very person tasked with her safety. The police's use of technical intelligence to track the suspect to his hideout underscores the increasing sophistication of law enforcement in Delta State, which has been grappling with kidnapping and other violent crimes. The recovery of part of the ransom money, as well as items purchased with the proceeds, provides crucial evidence for the prosecution.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Department of Operations' Buffalo Team, while on routine patrol along the Power Line axis by Bonsaac, sighted a suspicious male carrying a black bag. On sighting the operatives, the suspect took to his heels. The patrol team immediately gave chase, but the suspect escaped, abandoning the bag while fleeing. A search conducted on the bag led to the recovery of one Beretta pistol and one iPhone. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and unravel the circumstances surrounding the recovery. The discovery of a Beretta pistol, a weapon commonly associated with criminal gangs, is significant in a state where the proliferation of small arms has fuelled violence and kidnapping.
In a third operation, operatives of the Ozoro Division, while on township patrol along Omovutotu Street, Ozoro, intercepted one suspect identified as Michael Monday, who attempted to flee upon sighting the police patrol team. A search conducted on a black handbag in his possession led to the recovery of one locally made cut-to-size single-barrelled gun and one cartridge. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly belongs to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as “Aro Bagger.” The suspect is currently in custody, and investigation is ongoing. Cultism has long been a major security challenge in Delta State, with rival groups engaging in deadly clashes, and the recovery of a firearm from a suspected cultist represents a proactive effort to disarm such groups before they can commit violent acts.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their swift response and reiterated the command's commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of residents across the state. The CP also reiterated the importance of stop-and-search duty as a form of proactive policing, which has resulted in the recovery of the two firearms. He urged members of the public to report any suspicious persons or movement within their environment to the police without delay. The statement from the police command did not provide details on the condition of the rescued three-year-old child, but sources indicate that she has been reunited with her family and is receiving medical and psychological evaluation.
The arrests and recoveries come just weeks after the Delta State Police Command announced the neutralisation of a suspected kidnapper and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle in the Ubulu-Okiti Forest. The command has intensified its operations across the state, with CP Oyeniyi prioritising intelligence-driven and community-focused policing. However, the case of the kidnapped child also serves as a reminder to parents and guardians to exercise caution when entrusting the care of their children to third parties. The suspect, who had become a familiar face in the family's daily routine, exploited that trust for financial gain, leaving the family traumatised and the community shocked. As the investigation continues, the police have assured the public that all suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the inquiry. The recovery of the Beretta pistol and the locally made gun also underscores the ongoing challenge of illegal firearm proliferation in the region, a problem that requires sustained cooperation between security agencies and the public.
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