Metro

Police Bust Kidnapper’s Hideout, Recover Arms, Military Uniform In Delta

Published

11 months ago

February 21, 2025

Operatives of the Commissioner Police Special Assignment team of the Delta State Police Command have busted a criminal hideout of some suspected kidnappers/armed robbers who have been terrorising residents of the Abraka/Obiaruku/Umutu axis of the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Friday.

The statement noted that the feat followed an intelligence-led investigation carried out on the arrest of some suspected kidnappers on January 30, 2025.

According to the statement, operatives of the CP Special Assignment team led by ASP Julius Robinson “made a significant achievement when they stormed the hideouts on February 2, 2025 and busted the house of the fleeing gang leader named Emeka, surname unknown, at about 1635hrs, located at Evwokenren Layout, off Ughelli road, Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

“During the raid, a fabricated semi-automatic Beretta pistol with four rounds of live ammunition, four locally made cut-to-size guns, 13 rounds of live cartridges, and a pair of military uniforms concealed in a black polythene bag were recovered,” the police spokesman affirmed.

The PPRO further disclosed that the suspect is in custody while a manhunt to arrest other members of his gang is ongoing.

In another development, on February 19, 2025, at about 1600 hrs, operatives of Safer 025 of Safer Highway Patrol, while conducting a stop and search on a commercial vehicle along the Agbor/Benin express road, arrested three suspects in possession of three locally made long guns and charms.

On interrogation, the suspects, namely, Buhari Bala (28), Habibu Sale (25), Abdulwahab Musa (20), and Taisu Bala (20), all male, claimed they were coming from Zaria, Kaduna State, and going to a bush close to Benin called Igbogri community for a hunting expedition.

The police spokesman stated that the suspects are in custody just as the investigation is ongoing.

In an earlier development, on January 17, 2025, acting on a tip-off, the DPO Agbarho Division, CSP Pius Eredei, mobilised and led operatives to the apartment of one Eriga Enyuche, aged 40 years.

Upon search of his one-room apartment, one G-3 rifle and one pump-action gun were recovered from where they were hidden in the ceiling of the room.

The investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has declared that the Command under his watch “will not relent in the fight against crime and criminality.”

The CP maintained that “Delta State will remain hot for criminals.”

He, therefore, urged members of the public to continue to make available to the Police Command useful, timely and credible information by reporting to the nearest police station or by calling the following Command Control Room numbers: 08036684974, 08114895600 and 08025666914.

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone In Igbesa

Published

5 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Editor

A fire broke out on Sunday at the Ogun State Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa.

As of this report, there has been no official statement on what caused the incident. However, a resident said the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The source added that the fire spread quickly, affecting nearby houses before emergency responders arrived.

Details later…

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

23 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.