ASABA/Nigeria: In a sweeping offensive against criminal gangs, the Delta State Police Command has dismantled a deadly kidnapping syndicate, foiled an imminent abduction plot, and apprehended 184 suspected internet fraudsters in separate operations across the state.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the breakthroughs in a statement released Thursday, noting that the coordinated raids were carried out on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi. He said the clampdown was part of a renewed, intelligence-led strategy to rid the state of organized crime, including violent kidnappings and cyber fraud.
According to the statement, the police acting on credible intelligence, operatives from the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, launched a major operation on July 19 targeting a gang reportedly plotting high-profile abductions in Sapele and Oghara. The team successfully arrested the gang’s alleged leader, Owei Abebo, also known as “Adusa,” alongside two key accomplices, Ebi Maye and Happy Obegha. During a search of their hideout, police recovered 247 rounds of live Submachine Gun (SMG) ammunition.
The arrests were preceded by the capture of 35-year-old Peter Benson from Kwale in Ndokwa LGA, identified as the gang’s ritualist. His confession led officers to 63-year-old Joseph Saniyo in Ovia South-West LGA of Edo State, believed to be the gang’s principal spiritualist. A search of Saniyo’s residence turned up three live tortoises and several fetish items suspected to be used for criminal fortification.
In a separate major operation on July 21, officers from the Ekpan Division, working in synergy with the Nigerian Army, raided a suspected cybercrime hub at Post Housing Estate in Effurun. According to SP Edafe, the sting operation led to the arrest of 184 suspects, including one Kelvin Odini, aged 33. Police recovered 273 laptops, 97 smartphones, two Wi-Fi routers, and other gadgets allegedly linked to cyber fraud and potential terrorism financing.
All suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to unearth the full scope of their criminal networks. CP Abaniwonda commended his officers for the successful operations and reiterated the Command’s commitment to deploying technology, intelligence, and community collaboration to keep Delta State safe and inhospitable to criminal elements.
