By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
A fierce gun battle in the early hours of Tuesday, June 4, led to the death of four suspected kidnappers in Abraka, Delta State, after a joint operation by police officers, local hunters, and anti-cult volunteers confronted the criminal gang.
The operation, which took place around 3:00am along the Abraka Railway axis, followed credible intelligence that identified the area as a hotbed for kidnapping activity. Acting swiftly, the joint security team stormed the location, engaging the suspects in a shootout that resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition.
The encounter ended with four suspected kidnappers neutralized, while others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds. A recently rescued victim, according to police sources, identified one of the slain suspects as the ringleader of the gang that abducted him, confirming the effectiveness of the operation.
Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, commended the bravery and synergy of the security team, calling it a major win in the fight against kidnapping and violent crime in the region.
“This operation underscores what can be achieved through community-driven intelligence and coordinated effort between the police and local security networks,” CP Abaniwonda said. “The public must continue to collaborate with us by promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities. We are determined to sustain this momentum.”
As kidnapping syndicates continue to test the resilience of law enforcement in rural and semi-urban parts of Delta, the success in Abraka is a reminder of the growing role community-based security alliances play in pushing back against violent crime.
Delta State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace in every part of the state, leveraging both conventional policing and grassroots cooperation.