Police operatives in Delta State have rescued a 48-year-old woman who was abducted after engaging her suspected kidnappers in a gun battle at Ovade Forest in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area.
In a separate operation, the police also arrested 50 suspected cultists in Eku and Obiaruku, located in Ethiope East and Ukwuani local government areas respectively.
The woman was rescued on Wednesday after the police received a distress call concerning her abduction. The Divisional Police Officer of Oghara Division subsequently led a team of officers, members of the Quick Response Squad, vigilantes and local hunters into the forest.
According to the Delta State Police Command, the operatives encountered about four suspected kidnappers who opened fire on them, leading to a gun battle. The suspects eventually fled, abandoning the victim.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Samuel E. Erale, praised the police officers and other security personnel involved in the operation. He said the command would continue to conduct intelligence-led operations targeting kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the operatives pursued the fleeing suspects after the confrontation.
During the pursuit, one unidentified suspect was found dead, while another suspect, identified as Abubakhar Sani, was apprehended with gunshot wounds.
Both suspects were subsequently pronounced dead at the hospital.
The police recovered a dagger, NIN slip, OPay Verve card, Tecno mobile phone and other personal belongings during the operation.
The rescued woman was said to be in stable condition and undergoing debriefing, while the police continued efforts to track down the remaining suspects who escaped.
Meanwhile, 30 suspected cultists, comprising 29 males and one female, were arrested on September 19 after operatives from Abraka Division, backed by the State Intelligence Department and local vigilantes, raided an alleged cult initiation gathering in Eku.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, indicated that the gathering was allegedly connected to the initiation of new members into the Black Axe Confraternity.
The suspects were subsequently transferred to the Command Anti-Cult Unit, Sector 2, Ozoro, for further investigation.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, the commander of CACU Sector 2 and his operatives carried out another operation in Obiaruku on September 20, leading to the arrest of 20 additional suspects.
The second group consisted of 15 males and five females who were arrested over suspected involvement in cult-related activities.
The police said investigations into the cases are continuing to determine the individual roles of the suspects.