The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, has disclosed the remarkable achievements of the police command in tackling crime since his appointment in February 2024. During a press briefing, he detailed successful operations, significant arrests, and the recovery of arms and ammunition, which have contributed to the restoration of peace in the state.

In one of the notable cases, the police neutralized a kidnap syndicate on November 27, 2024. Acting on a distress call, officers trailed four armed suspects who had abducted two victims along DLA Road, Asaba, using a Toyota Camry with registration number Enugu BLF 490 AA. Although the kidnappers released the victims and fled into a bush, the police recovered their operational vehicle containing one AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns, eight rounds of AR ammunition, and 21 live cartridges.

On December 2, 2024, a combined team of police operatives conducted a sting operation behind Anioma Market, Asaba, arresting ten suspected armed robbers. Recovered items included a Beretta pistol, a double-barrel gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun, and five rounds of 9mm ammunition. The suspects were linked to a series of robberies in Asaba, Okpanam, and Isselu-Uku, with investigations and manhunts for other gang members ongoing.

In another incident, on November 23, 2024, the command arrested Destiny Lawrence for the murder of an 8-year-old boy whose body parts were mutilated in a suspected ritual killing. Lawrence confessed to being contracted by a native doctor from Otolokpo for the sum of N30,000 to procure a victim. Efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing accomplice.

The command also arrested two suspects, aged 50 and 51, on November 25, 2024, for trailing and robbing bank customers in Asaba. The suspects would reportedly wait opposite banks in tinted vehicles to identify their targets before breaking into their vehicles.

On December 4, the police arrested a 27-year-old woman, Blessing Ibuku, for drowning her 10-month-old child in the Aviara River. The suspect confessed to killing the child after being mocked by peers about the baby’s fatherless status.

Other significant arrests include:

A 36-year-old man, Friday Emegbu, for allegedly raping a 28-year-old woman in her home in Asaba on November 20.

A 22-year-old suspect accused of defiling a 13-year-old physically impaired girl in Oleh.

Four suspects found with a stolen luxury bus belonging to Young Shall Grow Motors. The bus, stolen from Aba, Abia State, was recovered in Delta State, where it was to be sold for N5 million.

CP Abaniwonda highlighted the command’s overall achievements, stating that 678 suspects were arrested during the review period, including 130 suspected armed robbers, 88 suspected kidnappers, 76 murder suspects, 329 cultists, and 54 individuals involved in rape or defilement. A total of 150 firearms were recovered, comprising 32 AK-47 rifles, 27 Beretta pistols, 72 locally made guns, and 19 pump-action guns, along with 5,042 rounds of ammunition and cartridges.

The command also rescued 48 kidnapped victims and recovered 27 stolen vehicles.

In conclusion, CP Abaniwonda urged parents to pay more attention to their male children, noting that most suspects were young males. He also reiterated the ban on tinted vehicles and fireworks in the state, emphasizing the need for public compliance to curb criminal activities. He assured residents of the command's commitment to ensuring a safe and crime-free festive season.