In Delta State, it was a major victory for security forces as four suspected kidnappers were killed in a joint operation between the police and local hunters.
The raid also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and live ammunition. It was a coordinated offensive that began in the early hours of Tuesday, June 4th, around 3 a.m., as intelligence reports pointed to the presence of suspected kidnappers operating along the Abraka railway axis.
Acting on the tip-off, a joint team of police, local hunters, vigilante groups, and anti-cult volunteers launched a tactical operation, engaging the armed suspects in a fierce gun battle.
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A statement from the Delta State Police Command, signed by its spokesman Bright Edafe, said: “Four of the suspected kidnappers were shot and later gave up the ghost while others escaped with gunshot injuries”.
Security operatives also recovered one AK-47 rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition from the scene.
In a breakthrough moment during preliminary investigations, a recently rescued kidnapping victim identified one of the deceased as the leader of the gang that had abducted him, further confirming the suspects’ criminal links.
Reacting to the success of the operation, Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, commended the courage and synergy of the operatives involved, saying:
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, praised the courage of the police operatives, hunters, vigilantes, and Anti cult volunteers and admonished them to sustain the tempo.”
He assured the public of the Command’s commitment to rooting out crime and strengthening community policing efforts.
“The Command remains committed to deepening community engagement and sustaining momentum against crime,” the statement said.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
4th June, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
BREAKTHROUGH IN ABRAKA AS A COMBINED TEAM OF POLICE AND HUNTERS ENGAGES SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS, FOUR DEAD, AND ONE AK-47 RIFLE RECOVERED
The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough following a coordinated intelligence-led joint operation of the Abraka police patrol team and Local hunters and member of Anti-Cult volunteers, which led to the recovery of firearms and death of four suspected kidnappers.
The joint operation was carried out today being 4/06/2025 at about 0300hrs, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers along the Abraka Rail way axis. During the operation, joint operatives comprising of the Police, hunters, vigilante and anti cult volunteers engage the suspected kidnappers and recovered one AK-47 rifle, along with thirteen rounds of live ammunition. During the gun duel, four of the suspected kidnappers were shot and later gave up the ghost while others escaped with gunshot injuries.
During a preliminary investigation, a recently rescued kidnapped victim identified one of the deceased suspects as a leader of the gang that kidnapped him.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, praised the courage of the police operatives, hunters, vigilante and Anti cult volunteers and admonised them to sustain the tempo.
The Commissioner assured that the Command remains committed to deepening community engagement and sustaining momentum against crime. Members of the public of the public are therefore advised to reach out to the command in cases of emergency through the control room phone numbers on 08036684974, 08114895600, and 08025666914
SP. EDAFE BRIGHT, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
DELTA STATE COMMAND,
ASABA
