Men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force score another milestone as they launched coordinated operations on kidnappers in Imo, Delta and others states, sending a clear signal that criminal elements will not always have their way
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
Following the abduction of five passengers from a commuter bus along Obokofia Road in Egbema and the kidnapping of another young man in New Owerri on June 27, 2026, the Imo State Police Command launched a coordinated intelligence-led operation to rescue the victims and apprehend the abductors.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the command in synergy with operatives of Egbema Police Division raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Obokofia in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area on June 30, 2026, rescuing three kidnapped victims unharmed and arresting seven suspected members of the gang. Other members of the syndicate fled the scene and currently being trailed.
The suspects are Eric John alias “Yahoo Welder” 30 of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State resident Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Light Chukwuma (18), Obinna Osuamma (18), Sylvester Nnadike (60), Tochukwu Precious (22), Destiny Albert (22) and Caroline Oziumele (25), all of Obokofia, Ohaji/Egbema LGA.
According to a statement from Police Public Relations Officer Imo State Command, DSP Okoye Henry, items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, two locally made double-barrel guns, two locally made pistols, one blue Highlander SUV without registration number, one ash-coloured Mercedes Benz GLK Jeep belonging to one of the rescued victims, three Q-Link motorcycles, one Sumec generator set and eight branded cult caps.
Investigation revealed that one of the rescued victims identified one of the arrested suspects, Eric John alias “Yahoo Welder” as a member of the gang responsible for his abduction. The investigation further revealed that the gang had collected ₦5 million from victim’s relatives and subsequently demanded an additional ₦50 million ransom before the victim was rescued during the police operation.
In a related development, Troops of 37 Artillery Brigade under Joint Task Force (JTF) South (SE) operation UDO KA have dealt a significant blow to criminal elements operating in the South East by arresting a suspected key armourer and logistics courier linked to attacks on oil installations and security forces, while recovering a substantial cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Imo State.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops searched and raided the Akpe Aggeh and Egbema forest axis in the early hours of July 1, 2026, leading to the arrest of a suspected armourer and logistics kingpin at Obisukpu forest.
Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect served as the principal armourer for the criminal group responsible for attacks against oil installations and troops deployed in the Ohaji/Egbema area. The operation led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, including one AK 47 rifle, one M4A1 carbine, one M16A2 rifle, six locally fabricated pistol and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.
The statement stated that the recovery represents a major disruption to the group’s operational capability and logistic chain. The suspect is currently in custody and will undergo further investigation to facilitate follow-on operations aimed at identifying, apprehending and dismantling other members and collaborators of the criminal network.
The Nigerian Army reassures citizens of its relentless resolve to sustain aggressive operations against all criminal elements threatening national security and economic assets. Members of the public are encouraged to continue supporting ongoing operations by providing timely, credible and actionable information through established security channels.
While in Delta State, the police command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on illicit drug trafficking and abuse with the arrest of three suspected drug traffickers and the recovery of large quantities of hard drugs in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The command spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement, saying the operations were carried out by operatives of the Special Enquiry Unit and the Command Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS). According to the statement, on June 3, 2026, operatives deployed on stop-and-search duty at the first Niger Bridge Head, inward Asaba, intercepted a Mercedes truck with registration number KRU 837 ZN driven by a 47-year-old suspect, Obinna Nwosu from Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Edafe said the suspect claimed he was transporting plumbing materials, but a thorough search of the vehicle uncovered a large cache of illicit substances concealed within the truck.
Items recovered included 13,000 sachets of 100mg Tramadol, 100 sachets of 225mg Tramadol, 100 sachets of Swinol, 300 sachets of Rohypnol, 60 sachets of Codeine Phosphate tablets and 100 tablets of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) commonly known as “Molly”.
In a separate operation conducted on the same day, operatives of the command Anti-Vice Squad, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected drug distribution point in Alegbo community, Owa-Alero located in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.
During the raid, two suspects identified as Henry Edward and Okwudili Kingsley were arrested.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly operating a drug distribution network within the community. Police recovered five gallons of a fermented cannabis mixture popularly known as “Monkey Tail,” along with large quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs.
Commending, the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime.
He noted that illicit drugs remain a major driver of criminal activities, including cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent offences. The police commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and detection across the state.
Still on Imo State, there was a massive breakthrough as Imo police parade additional seven notorious kidnappers responsible for terrorising Avu, Umuguma, Nekede, Ihiagwa, Eziobodo, Umuapu and its environs.
Also paraded are eight members of Vikings, a known cult group and over 20 other criminal suspects.
