Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of 627 suspects linked to various violent crimes, including murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery, since January 2025. Commissioner of Police Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda revealed these significant operational achievements in Asaba, highlighting the command’s concerted efforts against criminal networks across the state. The widespread arrests underscore a determined push to enhance security and bring perpetrators of serious offenses to justice within the region.

Among those apprehended, detailed figures show 140 suspected armed robbers, 113 suspected kidnappers, and 125 individuals implicated in murder cases. The crackdown also led to the arrest of 187 suspected cultists, a prevalent issue in many Nigerian states, alongside 62 suspects facing charges related to rape and defilement. These statistics reflect the multi-faceted nature of criminal challenges confronting Delta State and the police command’s broad response.

Beyond arrests, the command’s operations successfully rescued 18 kidnap victims, a critical outcome of their intelligence-led interventions. Furthermore, authorities recovered 28 vehicles believed to have been stolen or used in criminal activities, and a substantial arsenal of 144 arms, which have now been removed from circulation. In a notable financial recovery, N36 million in ransom money was also retrieved, dealing a blow to the economic incentives of kidnapping.

Commissioner Abaniwonda attributed these successes to a robust and multifaceted policing strategy. The command has adopted a proactive, intelligence-driven, and community-centred approach, emphasizing collaboration with various security agencies and local stakeholders. This includes vigilante groups, anti-cult volunteers, Police Community Relations Committees (PCRC), civil society organizations, and traditional rulers, all working in concert to dismantle criminal enterprises.

A significant breakthrough highlighted by the Commissioner involved the arrest of suspects in connection with the high-profile murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu. Justice Okogwu was tragically killed at her residence on November 24, 2025. Following extensive investigative work and acting on credible intelligence, operatives from the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Asaba made crucial arrests on December 6, 2025.

The initial arrest was that of Godwin Mngumi, a 25-year-old security guard attached to the deceased’s residence. Mngumi was found in possession of one of Justice Okogwu’s mobile phones, a crucial piece of evidence. During interrogation, he reportedly provided a voluntary confession, admitting his involvement and implicating an accomplice, 21-year-old Nnaji Obalum, in the heinous crime.

The suspects confessed that on the evening of November 23, 2025, around 21:30 GMT, they, along with a third individual who remains at large, forcibly entered Justice Okogwu’s home. They proceeded to tie her with a rope and cloth before ultimately murdering her. This chilling account details a premeditated act that shocked the local community and brought the issue of domestic security to the forefront.

Following the murder, the perpetrators stole several valuables from the residence, including two mobile phones and a wristwatch. They subsequently disposed of these items for what was described as a meagre sum, underscoring the callous nature of their actions. One of the stolen phones has since been successfully recovered by police operatives in the bustling Ogbogonogo market in Asaba, providing further evidence for the ongoing investigation.

The Delta State Police Command continues its diligent investigation into Justice Okogwu’s murder. Efforts are intensifying to apprehend the third suspect involved in the crime, ensuring all those responsible are brought to justice. This case exemplifies the command’s commitment to pursuing complex and sensitive investigations, demonstrating its resolve to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law across Delta State.

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Keywords: Delta State Police, crime crackdown Nigeria, murder suspects Delta, kidnapping arrests Asaba, armed robbery Delta, intelligence-driven policing, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu murder, security guard arrest