The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of a 48-year-old woman who was kidnapped on Wednesday in Ovade Forest, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
It also confirmed the arrest of 54 suspected cultists in Eku, Ethiope East; Obiaruku, Ukwuani; and Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Areas, for cult-related activities.
Spokesman of the command, SP Bright Edafe, in a statement on Thursday, said that, acting on a distress call regarding the kidnap of the woman (name withheld), the Divisional Police Officer in Oghara led operatives of the division, the Quick Response Squad, vigilantes and hunters into the forest to rescue her.
‘During the operation, about four suspected kidnappers engaged the team in a gun duel but were forced to retreat, abandoning the victim, who was rescued unhurt.
‘The operatives pursued the fleeing suspects, during which one unidentified suspect was found lifeless, while another, Abubakhar Sani, was apprehended with gunshot injuries.
‘Both of them were later confirmed dead at the hospital.
‘One dagger, a NIN slip, OPay Verve card, Tecno mobile phone and other personal effects were recovered.’
Edafe said the victim was stable and undergoing debriefing, while efforts to apprehend the other fleeing suspects were ongoing.
The statement further revealed that on September 19, 2026, operatives of the Abraka Division, supported by personnel of the State Intelligence Department (SID) and local vigilantes, stormed a suspected cult initiation gathering in Eku and arrested 30 suspects, including one female.
It said preliminary investigation indicated that the gathering was allegedly connected with the initiation of new members into the Black Axe Confraternity.
‘The suspects were transferred to the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), Sector 2, Ozoro, for further investigation.’
According to the statement, further intelligence developed from the investigation led the Commander, CACU Sector 2, Ozoro, and his operatives to Obiaruku the following day, where 20 additional suspects, comprising 15 males and five females, were arrested over suspected cult-related activities.
In another development, four male suspected members of the Supreme Vikings and Eiye confraternities were arrested in Ubulu-Uku on September 20, 2026, in connection with a suspected cult-related killing.
The suspects, Okwudili Ozah, 34; Chekwube Onwuka, 18; Onyebe Emmanuel, 19; and Ozoremenem Izuchukwu, 21, have been handed over to operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), Asaba, for further investigation.
Edafe disclosed that one locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge and a quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis were recovered during the operation, while the victim was taken to a medical facility, where he was confirmed dead. His remains were deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.
Edafe further said investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and the individual involvement of the suspects.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel E. Erale, commended the operatives and other security stakeholders involved in the operations.
He reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, warning criminal elements to desist or face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the command would continue to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegally held weapons and bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.