Police foil kidnap plot in Delta, rescue victims after gun battle

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have freed a 27-year-old woman and several other victims after storming a suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibusa and Ogwashi-Uku forest axis.

The operation followed intelligence on the abduction of the woman, whose identity was not disclosed, from Ibusa community in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

Police spokesman Bright Edafe confirmed the development in a statement issued in Warri on Monday, noting that the victim had been held at a building site near the Obosi River on the outskirts of the town since 12 March 2026.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, ordered a swift response after receiving details of the incident, directing the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad to secure the victims’ release and track down the perpetrators.

“Acting on this directive, on March 19, 2026, at about 1500hrs, the Commander, Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad, led operatives on the trail of the kidnappers,” Edafe said.

He added that the suspects attempted to resist arrest.

“Upon approaching their hideout, the kidnappers opened fire on the team, but the operatives responded with superior firepower, forcing the kidnappers to flee the scene and abandon their captives.”

The rescued victims were taken to a general hospital for medical attention, while a manhunt has been launched for the fleeing suspects.

In a separate incident, police operatives arrested a suspected armed robber linked to an attack on a Point of Sale operator in Boji Boji Owa.

The arrest followed a distress call received by the Divisional Police Officer in Owa-Oyibu, reporting that the suspect, identified as Sunday Blessing, and two accomplices had earlier robbed the operator of N600,000 at gunpoint along Diffrey Road near Ebu Owa Market.

Police said officers were immediately deployed to the area, leading to the arrest of Blessing. A locally made Beretta pistol was recovered from him.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.