How Police Tracked Tricycle Rider Who Abducted 3-Year-Old in Delta

By Judith Nkwor

The Delta State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old child who was allegedly abducted by a commercial tricycle rider assigned to take the child to school, in a major breakthrough against crime in the state.

The suspect was tracked and arrested through an intelligence-led operation, while part of the ransom paid by the family was recovered. The child was rescued unharmed and safely reunited with the family.

Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, disclosed this during the Command’s second-quarter press briefing in Asaba, where he highlighted major successes recorded in the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, murder and drug-related crimes across Delta State.

According to the Police Commissioner, operatives also arrested a 45-year-old suspected kidnapper, Shehu Malami, in Ughelli. The operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and 63 rounds of live ammunition. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly belongs to a kidnapping syndicate operating in Ughelli, Agbarho, Sapele, Warri and neighbouring communities.

In another intelligence-led operation, two suspected kidnappers were apprehended after emerging from a forest to purchase food and medication following a failed kidnapping attempt. One of their victims later identified the suspects, while police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

CP Oyeniyi reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to making Delta State unsafe for criminals, assuring residents that intelligence-driven policing would continue across the state. He urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen crime prevention and law enforcement.