The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Michael James, for faking his own abduction to extort ransom. According to CP Yemi Oyeniyi, the Command received a report on July 1, 2026 that James was kidnapped along Idumuesah/Owa-Alero Road and that the abductors were demanding N25 million. Acting on technical intelligence, operatives combed surrounding bushes and the suspect suddenly emerged claiming he had escaped. Under interrogation, James admitted he staged the kidnap after spending money given to him by his sister and needed to raise funds to replace it. He is in custody while investigation continues.
In two other operations, police arrested Egoh Best Akpobome, 35, and Omonigho Jitobor, 42, for circulating false claims online that police caused a fatal crash on the Ughelli-Patani Expressway on June 27, 2026. CP Oyeniyi debunked the report, stating the accident involved a civilian driving a newly purchased unregistered Mercedes Benz GLK that collided with a tricycle, killing 51-year-old Catherine Umokoro and injuring four others. No police officer or vehicle was involved. Also on June 30, operatives from Ozoro Division rescued a two-week-old baby and arrested Evelyn Otubo and Esther Joseph for alleged child trafficking. The mother reported that a woman known as “MAMA” took the child, born June 15, under the guise of sending him to an orphanage, but later denied her access. The suspects were caught with the baby while awaiting a buyer, and the infant has since been reunited with his mother.
The Commissioner said the arrests reflect the Command’s resolve to tackle both conventional crime and emerging threats such as misinformation and child trafficking. He urged parents, particularly mothers, to be wary of traffickers and called on families to monitor relatives who might resort to staging kidnaps out of desperation. CP Oyeniyi assured that all suspects will be prosecuted and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing. He also thanked residents for their support and urged the public to provide timely and credible information to sustain peace and security in Delta State.
