Date: April 17, 2026 l Reporter: Ebere Igboke
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested five suspected kidnappers in Delta State and successfully rescued several abducted victims in a coordinated security operation targeting criminal networks in the region.
According to reports, the breakthrough followed a kidnapping incident along the Warri–Sapele Road near Adeje Community, where armed men abducted travellers in early February. The case came to the attention of authorities after some victims escaped and alerted security agencies, prompting an immediate response.
Police operatives, working alongside the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, launched a joint operation that mounted sustained pressure on the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon their captives. The victims were later rescued unharmed.
Investigations led to the arrest of multiple suspects across different locations in Delta State. One of the suspects was initially apprehended while attempting to withdraw money using a victim’s ATM card, while others were arrested in subsequent intelligence-led operations in communities across the state.
Further police action resulted in the raid of a suspected hideout, where weapons including a pistol and locally made firearms were recovered. Authorities said the suspects are believed to be part of a wider criminal syndicate linked to several kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, and surrounding areas.
The Delta State Police Command commended the collaboration between security agencies and local communities, noting that intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts were critical to the success of the operation.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes, assuring residents of continued efforts to dismantle criminal networks and improve security across the state.