ASABA — The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers and recovered ₦4.1 million ransom allegedly collected from their victims.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Command Headquarters in Asaba while presenting the police performance report for October.

According to him, the suspects — identified as Ndianefo Cypre (60), Onwe Sunday (49), and Uzoma Ifeanyi Chukwu — were apprehended in different locations in Anambra State following intelligence-led operations by operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad.

Olufemi explained that the arrest followed a distress call on October 3, 2025, reporting the abduction of two individuals at Oduke, Asaba.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the squad trailed one Ndianefo Cypre, whose bank account was used to receive part of the ransom, to Isieke Village in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State,” he said. “Further investigations led to the arrest of two other suspects, from whom ₦4.1 million — being proceeds of the ransom — was recovered.”

He added that the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation.

The Commissioner also reported another successful rescue operation on November 2, 2025, in which police operatives and local vigilantes rescued a female kidnap victim in Obinomba community, after a gun duel with the abductors.

“On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, which led to a fierce exchange. One of the suspects was fatally injured, while the victim was rescued unhurt. An AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and twelve live rounds of ammunition were recovered at the scene,” Olufemi said.

He confirmed that the injured suspect was taken to a hospital but was later confirmed dead.

Olufemi further disclosed that within the past month, the Command had arrested 77 suspects, recovered 13 firearms, 591 rounds of ammunition and cartridges, three vehicles, and rescued five kidnapped victims across the state.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s control room numbers.

In a related development, the Kebbi State Police Command earlier in the week announced the arrest of two suspected kidnappers and the rescue of a 14-year-old victim during a joint security operation in Ka’oje, Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.