From Francis Sadhere, Delta

In a decisive move to curb potential threats to public safety, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Weyinmi Agbateyiniro has announced an indefinite ban on all forms of rallies and protests within the council area.The announcement came shortly after a high-level security meeting held at the Warri South Council Main Secretariat on Monday.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Agbateyiniro explained that the decision was taken in response to growing concerns over the likelihood of public gatherings escalating into violence or disrupting public order. “As from today, all forms of protests and rallies are hereby banned indefinitely across Warri South Local Government Area,” the Chairman declared. “This is a proactive measure to safeguard lives, properties, and ensure continued peace in our communities.”While affirming the administration’s respect for the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Agbateyiniro emphasized that the prevailing security situation necessitated tighter regulation of public gatherings.He clarified that individuals or groups intending to hold protests or rallies must now seek official approval from the local government.“The right to protest is not abolished, but it must now be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law,” he stated.“Anyone or group planning such activities must get the necessary permission from the local government before proceeding,” he added.As the Chief Security Officer of the local government, the Chairman reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining law and order while ensuring that Warri South remains a safe environment for residents and businesses.“Our focus remains on peace, stability, and economic growth. We are working closely with security agencies to ensure Warri South remains safe and open for development,” he added.Agbateyiniro also appealed to youth groups, civil society organizations, and community leaders to support the new measure and help educate the public on the importance of maintaining peace.The ban is to remain in place until further notice. Authorities have warned that violators will face strict legal consequences.Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperative as the local government intensifies efforts to strengthen the area’s security framework.

From Francis Sadhere, Delta

The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major security breakthrough with the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists across the state, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition.According to a press release by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, the arrests were made through a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out by various tactical units within the Command.

In a major crackdown on kidnapping, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) arrested three suspected members of an interstate kidnapping syndicate on May 16 and 17. The suspects — Idirisu Yakubu (21), Bello Amodu (40), and Umar Mohammed Beto (38) — were apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.The gang is believed to have been responsible for kidnappings in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states. Following their arrest, the suspects led police to a bush along the Ughelli-Ozoro Road in Delta State where officers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump-action shotgun with seven live cartridges. Investigations into the syndicate’s operations are ongoing.In another operation, the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based in Ughelli arrested a 53-year-old suspect, Benjamin Benemor, in Warri South Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence, officers searched his residence and uncovered a deadly arsenal which included one English Beretta pistol with magazine, an English double-barrel pump-action gun, an English single-barrel gun, two locally made firearms, and a battle axe. Fifteen live cartridges were also seized from the scene.Further demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive policing, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) intercepted a Jetta vehicle along the Asaba-Benin Expressway on May 15. Two suspects — Blessing Ngbajime (49) and Okpako Oghenhovo (27) — were arrested, and one fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from the latter. Investigations are currently underway.Reacting to the successful operations, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commended the officers for their professionalism and dedication.He reiterated the Command’s commitment to eradicating criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across Delta State.“These achievements demonstrate our readiness to confront all forms of criminality head-on. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information that can assist in maintaining peace and order,” Olufemi stated.The arrests and weapon seizures come as part of the Command’s intensified efforts to rid the state of criminal syndicates and maintain law and order.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

As part of sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals, operatives of the State Police Command, under the directive of Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, have successfully rescued twenty-eight kidnapped victims, arrested ten male suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits in multiple coordinated operations.

In a statement sent by the Police Public Relations Officer Enugu State Command it noted that on May 18, 2025, at about 6:30 p. m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and community members, promptly rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area, following a tactical bush-combing operation. Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately arrested and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations.On the same day, at about 6:34PM, operatives from 9th Mile Division swiftly responded to a distress call and rescued and rearrested a yet-to-be identified male suspect from a violent mob. The suspect and three others had attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm and was abandoned by the suspects. The rearrested suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State. During the operation, they intercepted two men found with N150,000.00 and N70,000.00 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks menacingly requested by the kidnappers.Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges. The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing.Earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30AM, operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State. The victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men. Five male suspects were subsequently arrested following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry. A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered. Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing.Giwa has commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful. He reaffirms the command’s avowed commitment to make Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities, urging residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities.