Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested seven suspected cultists and recovered ammunition.

The suspects are Promise Esenjor, 26, of Abavo; Wisdom Victor, 23, of Umunede; James Wisdom, 25, of Agbor; Chinedu Munonye, 22, of Issele-Uku; Onyemakonor Collins, 20, of Agbor; Unah Oluchi, 21, of Agbor; and Azomani Favour, 23, of Issele-Uku.

On 27 July 2026, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), acting on credible intelligence, raided a criminal hideout in Issele-Uku and arrested the suspects.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edafe Bright, confirmed that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects confessed to being members of the dreaded Maphite Confraternity.

“One double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, one cutlass, one Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones and other incriminating exhibits were recovered from their hideout.”

He said that while the investigation was ongoing, operatives of Abraka Division, in a separate operation on 27 July 2026, acting on credible intelligence, foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road, Abraka.

“While other suspects fled on sighting the police, one Wale Morakinyo, 27, was arrested.

“A search of a bag in his possession led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols and four live cartridges.

“The suspect is in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” he stated.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reassured all Deltans of the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against cultism and other violent crimes.

He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing efforts to keep Delta State safe.

The Benue State Police Command has arrested two women for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping in a bid to extort ransom from a family.

The command said the suspects, identified as Mary Torkuma of Akpehe, Makurdi, and Evergreen Samuel from Abia State, allegedly conspired to deceive Torkuma’s mother into believing her daughter had been abducted.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, the case was reported to the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) on July 15, 2026.

The police said Mary Torkuma had left her residence on July 12 to visit a friend in the North Bank area of Makurdi. The following day, her mother, who lives in Lagos State, reportedly received a call from an unknown number demanding ransom and claiming that her daughter had been kidnapped.

Acting on the report, operatives of the VCRU launched an intelligence-led investigation, which led them to a hotel in the Ankpa Quarters area of Makurdi.

The police said the supposed victim was found in the hotel alongside her alleged accomplice, Evergreen Samuel, who had travelled from Abia State.

Preliminary investigations, according to the command, revealed that the two women allegedly orchestrated the fake kidnapping to extort money from Torkuma’s mother through a false ransom demand.

The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations are ongoing. The police said they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, warned members of the public against engaging in criminal activities, including staging fake kidnappings.

He noted that such acts divert security personnel and resources away from genuine emergencies and are punishable under the law.

Security forces have rescued nine kidnapped victims and neutralized three armed bandits in a coordinated operation in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti Local Government Council Chairman, Prince Dada Sunday, in a statement said the rescue operation, carried out in the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora and Osi axis of Ekiti LGA bordering Ekiti State and Niger State, was conducted by the Kwara State Forest Guards in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, local hunters and vigilantes.  

He said the operatives reported that the victims were abducted from Eju community after the local market and were being moved through the bush towards Niger State before the security team intercepted them.  

One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo Aiyegunle, said the attack occurred around 4:57pm.  

“Men came from nowhere and put a gun to my head. Four of them took me and my son. Fear gripped me and I fell to the ground. They also took my friend’s motorcycle and kidnapped us,” Muazu told reporters.  

Another rescued farmer, Ibrahim Danga, also of Obbo Aiyegunle, confirmed they were held briefly before the security forces arrived.  

Owolabi Adebayo, a member of the Kwara Forest Guards, said the team had been on intelligence-driven bush combing when they engaged the terrorists. 

“We neutralized three of them and rescued nine people. One of the victims is receiving treatment for injuries,” Adebayo said.  

He added that the bandits were better armed. “There is no type of firearm that is not in their hand. We need more equipment such as body armour, binoculars, night goggles, walkie-talkies and more ammunition to confront them.”  

The Chief Security Officer of Ekiti LGA, Agbemuko Gabriel, commended the forest guards for their efforts.  

“What they did for us two days ago, they are the ones that helped us rescue those people that were kidnapped along Ora-Yetoro axis. They have been doing enough security and intelligence work for us and we are happy for that,” Gabriel said.  

Footage from the scene showed security operatives with several motorcycles allegedly recovered from the bandits.

The development comes as the Federal Government moves to strengthen the fight against banditry and kidnapping. 

DAILY POST recalls that a new Army battalion has been approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Umaro in Kwara South to bolster security operations in the area.  

Authorities say bush combing and joint patrols will continue in Kwara South and border communities to prevent further attacks on farming communities.