Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have rescued four kidnapped victims from a hideout inside the Ewu forests in Ughelli South Local Government Area, following a coordinated security operation.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement released to journalists in Warri on Thursday. He said the victims were abducted on February 2, 2026, at about 9:30 p.m. when five armed men suspected to be kidnappers blocked the Ewu–Ajekuta Road and forcefully seized four occupants of a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
According to the statement, upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Otu-Jeremi swiftly mobilized operatives, who, in collaboration with sister security agencies and vigilant members of the Ewu community, pursued the suspects into the forest. The sustained operation led to the successful rescue of all four victims.
The rescued persons were immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention, while two expended 7.5mm ammunition rounds were recovered from the kidnappers’ hideouts. Edafe said intensive bush combing and manhunt operations were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation on February 3, 2026, at about 8:00 p.m., operatives of the Ibusa Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected cult gathering at Anioma Garden in the Ugboli Quarters of Ibusa. During the raid, one suspect, identified as Michael Ayauze, was arrested.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity. A search conducted on him led to the recovery of one English Beretta pistol, one live round of ammunition, and assorted charms, while other suspects escaped and are currently being tracked.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Aina Adesola, reiterated the command’s determination to tackle kidnapping, cultism, and other violent crimes. He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to continue supporting the police with credible information to aid ongoing security efforts across the state.
