Police Rescue Kidnapped Woman, Arrest 50 Suspected Cultists In Delta

The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 48-year-old woman who was abducted in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.

The woman was rescued unhurt on Wednesday after police operatives engaged her suspected abductors in a gun battle at Ovade Forest, Oghara.

The operation followed a distress call, prompting the Divisional Police Officer of Oghara Division to mobilise operatives, alongside members of the Quick Response Squad, vigilantes and hunters, to the forest.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the team came under attack from about four suspected kidnappers who engaged the operatives in a gun battle before fleeing and abandoning the victim.

During the pursuit, one unidentified suspect was found lifeless, while another suspect, identified as Abubakhar Sani, was arrested with gunshot injuries.

The police said both suspects later died at a hospital.

Items recovered from the suspects included a dagger, NIN slip, OPay Verve card, Tecno mobile phone and other personal belongings.

The rescued woman was said to be stable and undergoing debriefing, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.

Meanwhile, the police command said it had arrested 50 suspected cultists in separate operations in Eku and Obiaruku, in Ethiope East and Ukwuani Local Government Areas respectively.

Thirty suspects, comprising 29 males and one female, were arrested on September 19 when operatives of the Abraka Division, supported by the State Intelligence Department and local vigilantes, raided a suspected cult initiation gathering in Eku.

The police said preliminary investigation indicated that the gathering was allegedly organised for the 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.

Following intelligence gathered during the investigation, operatives of the CACU Sector 2 arrested 20 additional suspects in Obiaruku on September 20.

The suspects comprised 15 males and five females and were arrested over alleged involvement in cult-related activities.

The police said investigations were ongoing to determine the individual roles of the suspects.

Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, commended the operatives and other security stakeholders involved in the operations.

He said the command would sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes across the state.