………..Rescues Two Week-Old Baby From Suspected Traffickers.
FIC Report (Delta State) – Delta State Police Commissioner CP Yemi Oyeniyi psc,acipm, mnips, has disclosed the arrest of a suspect, 22 years old Michael James who stagged his Self-Kidnap to extort money from his relatives.
According to the CP who made the disclosure during a press briefing in Asaba the State capital, the Command received a distress call that on 1 July 2026, at about 0730 hours, one Michael James, m aged 22 years of Idumuesah/Owa-Alero Road left home to dispose refuse but did not return and that the kidnappers were demanding for a ransom of Twenty-five Million naira (#25,000,000) for his release.
The CP added that on receipt of the distress call and working on technically generated intelligence, operatives of the Command were promptly deployed to the scene and cordoned the surrounding bushes.
On noticing that the operatives were closing in on him, the suspect suddenly came out from the bush claiming he escaped from his abductors. During interrogation, the suspect Michael James confessed that he faked his own kidnap.
He further stated that he spent certain money given to him by his sister, hence he planned his own kidnap so he could raise and replace the said money. The suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, following a fatal road traffic crash that occurred on Saturday, 27 June 2026, at about 1830hrs, along the Ughelli-Patani Expressway, near Setraco Company Ughelli, the Command observed the circulation of false and misleading reports on social media alleging that the police arrested a suspect driving an unregistered vehicle, took over the vehicle, then had an accident with it leading to the death of a woman.
The false and misleading report in the social media prompted the Command to carry out a thorough investigation which established that the crash involved a newly purchased unregistered Mercedes Benz GLK SUV driven by a civilian; one Agofure Gift (27 years), who rammed into a commercial tricycle.
The crash resulted in the death of one woman later identified as Catherine Umokoro aged 51years, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The CP clarified that at no time was any police vehicle or police team involved in the accident, nor was the vehicle driven by a police officer.
However, acting on credible intelligence and digital forensic leads, the Command commenced an investigation into the source of the false publication. Intelligence based investigation led to the arrest of Egoh Best Akpobome (35years) and Omonigho Jitobor (42years), who are alleged to have originated and disseminated the false narrative online. Both suspects are in custody and will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
The CP further disclosed that in another development, on 30 June 2026, following a complaint received at the Ozoro Division, operatives of the Ozoro Division rescued a two weeks old baby boy and arrested two female suspects in connection with a case of alleged child trafficking.
The complainant reported that after giving birth to the baby on 15 June 2026, a woman she identified only as “MAMA”, with whom she lived and worked, informed her that the baby would be taken to an orphanage.
However, when she later requested to see her child, she was denied access, prompting her to report the matter to the police. Acting on the report, operatives immediately commenced an investigation, leading to the arrest of Evelyn Otubo, and Esther Joseph who were in possession of the child while waiting for an intending buyer.
The two week old baby was successfully rescued unharmed and reunited with the mother. These cases, the CP noted, underscore the Command’s resolve not only to combat conventional crimes but also to tackle emerging threats such as disinformation, misinformation, and fake news, stressing that the arrest and subsequent prosecution of these suspects will serve as deterrence to others.
The CP reassured the public that the Command under his leadership remains committed to intelligence-led policing, thorough investigation, and ensuring that anyone found violating the law is brought to justice.
The CP also urged members of the public, particularly, mothers to be wary of child traffickers and pay special attention to their children to avoid being victims. Also members of the public were urged to pay particular attention to their relatives, who could be desperate to stage their own kidnap because of money.
The CP expressed appreciation to the public for the continued support of the good people of Delta State and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information that would aid the police in maintaining peace, safety, and public order across the state.
Felix Ijomah
FIC Asaba Delta State
4th July, 2026.
