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Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have rescued a 48-year-old woman who was kidnapped and held captive in Ovade Forest.
The command, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said operatives of the Oghara Division, supported by members of the Quick Response Squad, local vigilantes and hunters, rescued the woman on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The operation followed a distress call concerning the woman’s abduction.
Police operatives reportedly encountered about four suspected kidnappers in the forest, leading to a gun duel during which the suspects retreated and abandoned the victim.
The woman was rescued unhurt, according to the police.
During the pursuit of the fleeing suspects, one unidentified suspect was found lifeless, while another, identified as Abubakhar Sani, was arrested with gunshot injuries.
The Command said both suspects were later confirmed dead at a hospital.
A dagger, NIN slip, OPay Verve card, Tecno mobile phone and other personal effects were recovered during the operation.
The victim is reportedly stable and undergoing debriefing, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining fleeing suspects.
In another operation, the police arrested 50 suspected cultists in Eku and Obiaruku.
The Command said operatives of the Abraka Division, supported by personnel of the State Intelligence Department and local vigilantes, stormed a suspected cult initiation gathering in Eku on September 19.
Thirty suspects, comprising 29 males and one female, were arrested.
Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that the gathering was linked to the alleged initiation of new members into the Black Axe Confraternity.
The suspects were subsequently transferred to the Command Anti-Cult Unit, Sector 2, Ozoro, for further investigation.
The police said information obtained during the investigation led CACU operatives to Obiaruku on September 20, where another 20 suspects, comprising 15 males and five females, were arrested over suspected cult-related activities.
The Command said investigations are ongoing to establish each suspect’s involvement.
The police also arrested four suspected cultists in Ubulu-Uku in connection with an alleged cult-related killing.
The suspects, Okwudili Ozah, 34; Chekwube Onwuka, 18; Onyebe Emmanuel, 19; and Ozoremenem Izuchukwu, 21, were arrested on September 20 and handed over to CACU, Asaba.
The Command said the suspects are suspected members of the Supreme Vikings and Eiye confraternities.
One locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge and a substance suspected to be cannabis were recovered during the operation.
The police said the victim was taken to a medical facility where he was confirmed dead, while his remains were deposited at a mortuary for autopsy.
Investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing and the individual involvement of the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel Erale, commended the police operatives and other security stakeholders involved in the operations.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, while warning criminal elements to desist or face legal action.
Erale also assured residents that the Command would continue efforts to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegally held weapons and bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND
PRESS RELEASE
POLICE RESCUE KIDNAPPED WOMAN, ARREST 54 SUSPECTED CULTISTS, RECOVER ONE LOCALLY MADE SINGLE-BARREL CUT-TO-SIZE GUN, ONE LIVE CARTRIDGE AND SUSPECTED ILLICIT DRUGS pic.twitter.com/P5iB4IqX9J
— Delta State Police Command (@DeltaPoliceNG) September 24, 2026
