Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team under the Delta State Police Command have successfully dismantled a notorious interstate kidnapping syndicate operating across Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, and made available to journalists in Warri on Tuesday.

According to the statement, “On May 16, 2025, at about 17:45hrs, operatives traced and apprehended a syndicate member, 21-year-old Idirisu Yakubu, a native of Kwara State and resident of the Elelenwo area in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”

Following his interrogation, on May 17 at around 13:20hrs, Yakubu led officers to the arrest of the group’s leader and coordinator, Bello Amodu, aged 40, from Tangaza LGA in Sokoto State, also residing in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt. Amodu is reportedly the mastermind overseeing multiple kidnapping cells across the South-South and South-East regions.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of Umar Mohammed Beto (38), of Tsamiya village, Bagudu LGA, Kebbi State, a resident of the Oil Mill Area, Port Harcourt area of Rivers State, who is said to be the one heading the Enugu axis.

“Upon further interrogation, at about 0635hrs of the same date, they led operatives to a bush along Ughelli – Ozoro Road where one AK-47 Rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump action with seven rounds of live cartridges were recovered.”

The PPRO stated that the investigation is ongoing in the matter.

In another development, operatives of the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based at Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA, while acting on intelligence, trailed a kidnapping/armed robbery suspect to a residence located in Warri South LGA, from where they arrested one 53-year-old Benjamin Benemor.

“Upon search of his residence, the exhibits recovered included one English Beretta Pistol with magazine, one English Double Barrel Pump Action Gun, one English Single Barrel Gun, one Locally Made Single Barrel Gun, one Locally Made Short Double Barrel Gun, one Battle Axe, and fifteen Live Cartridges.

“Also, on May 15, 2025 at about 0630hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), while on stop and search along the Asaba-Benin Expressway, flagged down a Jetta vehicle with reg no: ASB18BH with two male occupants named Blessing Ngbajime, aged 49 years and Okpako Oghenhovo, aged 27.

“Upon search of the vehicle and the occupants, the operatives discovered one fabricated Beretta pistol from Okpako Oghenhovo,” the statement added.

The police spokesman affirmed that an investigation is in progress in the matter, just as the apprehended suspects are undergoing profiling and interrogation.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has commended the courage and professionalism displayed by the operatives and reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to securing the lives and property of residents.

The CP said, “These achievements demonstrate the command’s readiness to confront all forms of criminality and the readiness to act decisively against those who threaten the peace and security of the state.”

He also urged residents of Delta State to stay vigilant and share timely, relevant information that could aid in the prevention and detection of criminal activities.