The Delta State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped woman and arrested five suspects in separate operations targeting kidnapping and cult-related crimes across the state.

The operations also led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine, two rounds of live ammunition, a battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer, the police said.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday.

Woman Rescued in Usiefrun

According to Edafe, the first operation took place on October 3, 2026, at about 8:30 a.m., after the Divisional Police Officer of Otu-Jeremi Division received intelligence from the DPO of Ovwian-Aladja Division.

Police operatives were subsequently mobilised to Usiefrun Community, where a 25-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and held hostage.

The victim was rescued during the operation, while the police arrested a 29-year-old suspect identified as Brotugbare Francis Onome.

A search of the premises reportedly led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition.

The police said investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Two Arrested Over Alleged Kidnap Plot

In a separate development, the Abraka Division received information on October 1 about an alleged plan to kidnap a woman in the community.

Following what the police described as credible intelligence, operatives of the division, working with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult Operatives, arrested two suspects.

They were identified as 37-year-old Endurance Akpade and 43-year-old Edwin Friday Morgan.

The police said both suspects were taken into custody and were assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.

Two Arrested Over Cult-Related Killing

Also on October 1, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit acted on intelligence obtained from a viral video allegedly showing suspected cult members celebrating the killing of another suspected cult member.

The operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in Oghara and arrested two 23-year-old suspects, Ezekiel Sunday Izomor and Emmanuel Ogaganefe.

Police linked the suspects to the alleged cult-related killing of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey at Jesse Main Market in Ethiope West Local Government Area on March 24, 2026.

A battle axe, four cutlasses and a hammer were reportedly recovered during the operation.

Police Name Suspected Mastermind

According to the police, preliminary investigation indicated that a suspect identified as Collins allegedly wanted to become the leader of the Aro Bagger Confraternity.

The police alleged that Collins plotted the killing of a rival cult member as part of an attempt to achieve that ambition and allegedly worked with the two arrested suspects and another person identified as Richman, who was described as a close friend of the victim.

The police said Collins and Richman remained at large, while efforts were ongoing to arrest them.

The two arrested suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with the investigation.

Police Commend Operatives

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel Erale, commended the officers involved in the operations for what he described as their swift response and effective intelligence sharing.

Earle reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained efforts against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.

He also urged residents to provide the police with credible and timely information and called on young people to stay away from cult activities.

None of the suspects mentioned in the report has been convicted, and the allegations remain subject to investigation and possible prosecution.