Police Nabs Kidnap Kingpin on Watchlist in Delta, Cultists at Varsity Gate

Operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team ( CP-SAT ) of the Delta State Police Command, have arrested a 42-year-old notorious kidnap suspect known as Chiadiji Collins AKA “Smooth” reportedly on watchlist after storming his criminal hideout along Ibusa road, near Asaba, Delta State.

The arrest came just as the police busted one Benjamin Okwufuluezen, a 21-year-old suspected cultist at his hideout at Big Gate, Campus III of the Delta State University, Abraka.

Smooth, alleged to be responsible for series of kidnapping activities within Ibusa/Ogwashi-Uku and Asaba axis, was smoked out by the operatives, acting on credible intelligence on the activities of some suspected kidnappers in Ogwashi-Uku, Ubuluku and Isseluku, on Saturday July 27, 2025.

Police operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson in a combined effort with operatives from the command’s X-Squad and Buffallo Patrol Teams of the command, affected the arrest.

Confirming this in a statement on Thursday, State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe, said that upon interrogation of the suspect, he led operatives to his residence at Ewulu community in Aniocha South LGA, Delta State where a search warrant was executed during which one AK-47 rifle, forty (40) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered.

Preliminary investigation, according to Edafe, also led to the arrest of one Ezechie Andrew of the same community in whose possession two pump action and two live cartridges were recovered.

Edafe who disclosed that the suspects are custody while investigation is ongoing, identified both suspects as gang members suspected to be involved in a series of kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku, Isseluku and other parts of Delta State.

In the same vein, operatives of the Command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) while acting on credible information, on Wednesday July 30, stormed a criminal hideout at Big Gate, Campus iii, Delta State University, Abraka where 21-year-old Benjamin Okwufuluezen was arrested.

The police also arrested 22-year-old Augustine Ifeanyi and Iruma Japheth aged 27, and recovered one fabricated beretta pistol with four live ammunition.

Also recovered from the suspects were one black cap with Eiye inscription and one battle axe. Suspects confessed to being members of Eiye confraternity.

Edafe said that all the suspects are in custody and the investigation is ongoing.

In his remarks, the state commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda urged parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from all forms of criminality and cult related activities and also advises members of the public to contact the Police and report any suspicious persons or movements in their environment.