The fight against violent crime in Delta State received a significant boost last week following the arrest of suspected kidnappers and cultists in coordinated operations by security operatives. The Delta State Police Command, through its Special Assignment Team and Rapid Response Squad, not only apprehended notorious criminal suspects but also recovered firearms and ammunition believed to have been used in terrorizing communities.
How the Kidnappers Were Tracked
On July 27, 2025, acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, in collaboration with the command’s X-Squad and Buffalo Patrol Teams, stormed a criminal hideout along Ibusa Road in the dead of night.
The raid led to the arrest of 42-year-old Chiadiji Collins, also known by his dreaded alias “Smooth”. For months, Collins had been on the police watchlist for his alleged involvement in a string of abductions across Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, and the Asaba axis. Victims, many of them business owners and commuters, had long lived in fear of his gang’s activities.
Following his arrest, Collins reportedly led operatives to his residence in Ewulu community, Aniocha South Local Government Area, where a search warrant uncovered an AK-47 rifle and forty rounds of live ammunition.
Investigations also extended to one of his alleged gang members, Ezechie Andrew, in the same community. From Andrew’s possession, the police recovered two pump-action guns and two live cartridges. Both suspects are currently in custody as investigations intensify into their role in a wider network of kidnappings that have plagued Delta’s semi-urban and rural communities.
Crackdown on Cultists in Abraka
Barely three days later, on July 30, operatives of the Command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) carried out a separate operation in Abraka, a university town that has often been a hotbed of cult-related clashes.
At about 6:30 a.m., officers swooped on a criminal hideout at Big Gate, Campus III, where three suspects—Benjamin Okwufulueze (21), Augustine Ifeanyi (22), and Iruma Japheth (27)—were arrested.
Recovered items included a fabricated Beretta pistol, four live rounds of ammunition, a black cap bearing the insignia of the Eiye confraternity, and a battle axe. The young men reportedly confessed to belonging to the notorious Eiye cult group.
Their arrest comes amid renewed fears of cult wars around university communities in Delta and neighboring Edo State, often fueled by rivalries between confraternities such as Eiye, Black Axe, and Vikings.
The Human Toll: Voices from the Community
For many Delta residents, these arrests bring some relief but also highlight the harsh reality of daily living under the shadow of crime.
Mrs. Anthonia Nwankwo, a trader in Ogwashi-Uku whose younger brother was kidnapped last year, expressed cautious optimism:
“We thank God that the police caught this man they call Smooth. My brother was taken on his way from Asaba, and till today, we are still paying debts from the ransom. These criminals destroy families. Let the government make sure they don’t come back.”
In Abraka, where students often bear the brunt of cult clashes, the sense of insecurity is palpable. Chike, a 300-level student at Delta State University, described living in constant fear:
“Sometimes, when we hear gunshots at night, we don’t even bother to ask who is fighting—it is either cult boys or robbers. Many of us just want to graduate and leave this place alive. The police need to do more raids like this.”
Even parents are worried about their children’s exposure to cult recruitment. Mr. Joshua Efe, a community elder in Ewulu, lamented:
“The truth is that these young boys are idle, and some of them see cult groups as a way of belonging. If government does not create jobs and opportunities, the cycle will continue.”
A Worrying Trend of Kidnapping and Cultism in Delta
The two operations highlight a broader security challenge in Delta State—kidnapping and cultism, which have steadily evolved into twin menaces.
Kidnapping, once concentrated along major highways, has spread into rural communities where victims are abducted from homes and farms. Security analysts note that criminal gangs often target areas like Ogwashi-Uku and Isseluku because of their dense vegetation and easy escape routes. The financial strain on victims’ families, coupled with the psychological trauma, has left many communities unsettled.
Cultism, on the other hand, has taken root particularly among the youth. What began as campus-based fraternities has gradually spilled into the streets, with groups recruiting from secondary schools and neighborhood gangs. Rival clashes often result in bloodshed, while cult members are increasingly linked to armed robbery, drug trafficking, and kidnapping.
Police Response and Community Appeal
Speaking on the latest breakthroughs, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, praised the courage and professionalism of his men, pledging the command’s determination to sustain the clampdown on violent crimes.
He also issued a strong appeal to parents and guardians:
“We must collectively discourage our children and wards from joining cult groups or engaging in crime. The police will not relent in bringing perpetrators to justice. Community support remains vital in this fight.”
A Community Still on Edge
While the arrests of “Smooth” and the Abraka cult suspects signal progress, many residents remain wary. The fear is that once one gang is dismantled, another quickly takes its place.
For communities that have suffered years of kidnappings and cult-related violence, the hope is that sustained police action—combined with job creation, community engagement, and youth empowerment—can finally turn the tide.
For now, the people of Delta live between relief and anxiety, waiting to see if these breakthroughs mark the beginning of lasting peace—or just another temporary lull in the cycle of crime.
