AUDACIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND UNDER CP ABANIWONDA S. OLUFEMI

The indefatigable Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command.

CP Abaniwonda Olufemi gives account of the operational achievements and progress recorded by the Delta State Police Command from January 2025 to date. As Commissioner of Police Delta State Police Command, that he consider it a duty to brief the public on the performances and measures taken to safeguard life and property in the State the year under review.

Within the period under review, the Command adopted a proactive, intelligence-driven and community-centred policing strategy, working with sister security agencies and community stakeholders (Vigilante, Anti-cult volunteers, PCRC, CSOs, traditional rulers, etc) to sustain targeted operations against criminal networks.

Below are some of the command's key achievements recorded during the year;

1. ARREST OF TWO PRIME SUSPECTS IN THE MURDER OF RETIRED JUSTICE IFEOMA OKOGWU: Following the gruesome murder of Justice Ifeoma Okogwu (Rtd) which occurred on the 24th of November 2025 at her residence. Acting on credible intelligence, on 6th of December 2025, operatives of the Homicide Section, State CID, Asaba, arrested one Godwin Mngumi, male, 25 years old who is security guard attached to the residence of the deceased. The suspect was found in possession of one of the late Justice’s mobile phones. Upon interrogation, he made a voluntary confession and admitted to inviting his accomplices one Nnaji Obalum, male, 21 years old to perpetrate the crime. The suspects confessed that on 23rd November 2025 at about 2130hrs, they, alongside a third suspect currently at large, entered the home of the deceased, tied her with a rope and cloth, and murdered her. They thereafter stole her valuables, including two phones and a wristwatch, which they disposed of for a meagre sum. One of the stolen phones has been recovered in Ogbogonogo market, Asaba. Investigation is ongoing.

2. DEATH OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER, AND RECOVERY OF ONE AK-47 RIFLE AND FORTY-TWO LIVE CARTRIDGES: On 1st December 2025, at about 0230hrs, operatives of the Command State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), in collaboration with community volunteers, were on intensive patrol when they received credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers were sighted within the Obiaruku forest. Acting swiftly, operatives of SACU stormed the bush where the suspects opened fire from multiple directions in a bid to repel the team. The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the death of one suspect, while others escaped into the forest with various degrees of gunshot injuries. One AK-47 rifle with forty-two (42) rounds of live ammunition, nine mobile phones, and charms were recovered.

3. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER, AND RECOVERY OF TWO PUMP-ACTION GUNS AND THIRTY-NINE LIVE CARTRIDGES: On 6th December 2025 at about 0730hrs, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on credible intelligence, executed a successful intelligence-led operation in Abraka. The operatives conducted a coordinated search at Umeghe community, Abraka, the residence of Isiakpere Friday ‘m’, 67 years old. The operation resulted in the recovery of: Two (2) pump-action guns and Thirty-nine (39) live cartridges. The suspect is in custody, and an investigation is ongoing to determine possible links to cult groups, arms suppliers, and other criminal networks.

4. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS/CULTIST AND RECOVERY OF ONE LOCALLY MADE SHOTGUN, ONE LOCALLY FABRICATED BERETTA PISTOL, SIX LIVE CARTRIDGES, FIFTEEN ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION, AND TWO TRICYCLES: Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) recorded a series of coordinated breakthroughs between 28th and 29th November 2025 in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks linked to armed robbery, and cult-related activities across Ughelli, Oghara, and Sapele. Acting on credible intelligence, around the Ekuigbo axis, the team intercepted one Kelvin Oke, male, 42 years old, and recovered a stolen tricycle in his possession. More coordinated operations led to the arrest of two additional suspects: Victor Oyaye, male, 26 years, identified as the gang leader, and Monday Emakpo, male, 31 years residing in Agbarha, Ughelli. Another stolen tricycle and a locally made shotgun loaded with six live cartridges were recovered.

5. CRACKDOWN ON DRUG ACTIVITIES: ARREST OF 161 DRUG-LINKED SUSPECTS: On 10th December 2025 at about 2130hrs, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations led a formidable contingent of policemen drawn from the Buffalo Tactical Teams to Agbor, Ika South LGA, Delta State, where they conducted a decisive raid a hideout known for notorious sales and distribution of illicit drugs. The intelligence-driven operation resulted in the arrest of one hundred and sixty-one (161) suspects, comprising one hundred and ten (110) males and fifty-one (51) females. A large quantity of illicit drugs was recovered from the hideout, including: Nigeria Loud, Canadian Loud, CSC Codeine, Ice, sachets of 200mm of Tramadol. Similarly on 13th of December 2025, operatives of Bufallo intercepted Asaba-Onitsha bus at the head bridge Asaba, and subjected it to a search during which one hundred and nine (109) bottles of codeine, and cartons of tramadol were recovered and the suspects were promptly arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

In line with the mandate of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, to ensure a safe, peaceful, and crime-free environment across the country, I have directed officers and men of the Delta State Police Command to remain proactive, professional, and fully committed to the protection of lives and property across the State.

This commitment has, within the year under review, resulted in the recovery of a total of One Hundred and Forty-four (144) firearms, comprising Twenty-Seven (27) AK-47/AK-49 Rifles, Twenty-Five (25) Beretta pistols, Fifty-Six (56) single barrel and locally fabricated cut-to-size guns, and Thirty-Six (36) Pump action guns; In addition, the Command recovered Six Thousand and Nine Hundred and Thirty (6,930) rounds of ammunition/cartridges, significantly degrading the operational capacity of criminal elements.

Furthermore, the Command recorded the arrest of over Six Hundred and Twenty-Seven (627) suspects which includes One Hundred and Forty (140) suspected armed robbers, One Hundred and Thirteen (113) suspected kidnappers, One Hundred and Twenty-Five (125) murder suspects, One Hundred and Eighty-Seven (187) suspected cultists, Sixty-Two (62) suspects arrested for rape and defilement offences, and Thirty-six million naira (# 36,000,000) ransom recovered within the period under review.

1. Number of AK-47/AK-49 rifles recovered - 27

2. Number of Beretta pistols recovered - 25

3. No. of single barrel/cut-to-size guns recovered - 56

4. No. of pump action guns recovered - 36

5. No. of ammunition and cartridges recovered - 6,930

6. Ransom recovered - # 36,000,000

Total number of Arms recovered - 144

SUSPECTS ARRESTED

1. Suspected Armed Robbers arrested - 140

2. Suspected kidnappers arrested - 113

3. Murder suspects arrested - 125

4. Suspects cultists arrested - 187

5. Rape/defilement suspects - 62

Total number of suspects arrested - 627

Number of Kidnapped victims rescued - 18

Number of recovered vehicles - 28

In conclusion, I commend the officers and men of the Delta State Police Command for their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice in the discharge of their duties. I also sincerely commend members of the press and media organizations for their professionalism, responsible reportage, and continued partnership with the Police throughout the year. Your role in timely, accurate information dissemination has greatly enhanced public awareness and supported our crime-prevention efforts.

I equally appreciate the cooperation of law-abiding citizens, traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders. As we approach the Yuletide and festive season, I urge members of the public to remain vigilant and law-abiding, and to support the Police with credible information. The Delta State Police Command remains fully prepared to ensure a safe, peaceful, and secure festive period for all.

EMERGENCY CONTROL ROOM NUMBER

- 08036684974

- 08114895600

- 08025666914

Wishing all Deltans a Merry Christmas and prosperous New-Year in Advance.

Thank you all

CP ABANIWONDA S. OLUFEMI

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

DELTA STATE COMMAND

ASABA.