By Austin Ogwuda
What could have resulted to bloodbath at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku last Thursday, while students were writing their final year examinations was averted.
The attack was successfully foiled following intelligence which unmasked the planned attack by a cult group allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ibusa Ogwash-Uku, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Uku and Isele-Asagba axis.
This was disclosed at a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday by the Delta State Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, detailing the activities of the command during the month of July, 2025.
His words: “On 31/07/2025 (last Thursday) at about 0830hrs, the DPO Ogwashi-Uku division received information of an imminent attack on students writing their final year exams at Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Ukwu by suspected cultists.
“Operatives were deployed and two suspects (names withheld by The Townhall) each aged 23 years, were arrested with two handbags containing six cut-to-size guns and eight rounds of live cartridges.
“Upon interrogation, suspects confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity. Investigation is ongoing and revealed that they are allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ibusa Ogwash-Uku, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Uku, Isele-Asagba and most recently the kidnap of a young lady at Ogwash-Uku on the 9th July 2025.
“The suspect led the operatives to their hideout at Second Deputy, where four other members of his gang were also arrested”, the CP stated.
The Police boss also gave a breakdown of number of Firearms recovered during the month under review to 18; number of ammunition and cartridges recovered – 359; while a total of N8,500,000 was recovered as ransoms.
Laptops and mobile phones recovered in the same month of July were – 378; total number of suspects arrested – 211, according to the statistics released.
He seized the occasion to advise Deltans “to report any suspicious persons or movement within their environment, either by reporting at the nearest Police station or by calling any of the following control room numbers – 08036684974 – 08114895600- 08025666914
