Delta Police Recaptures Eight Fugitives After Ughelli Jailbreak

The Delta State Police Command has successfully re-apprehended eight individuals among a group of eleven suspects who had earlier broken out of lawful detention from a police facility located in the Ughelli area of the state. This development was announced on Tuesday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, as part of the Nigeria Police Force’s nationwide operational successes over a 24-hour period.

Iniedu highlighted that the recapture of these eight suspects was a direct result of intelligence-driven operations carried out by security personnel. The ongoing investigation into the escape and re-arrest is currently being handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba, the capital of Delta State. The statement partly read, "Following the escape of 11 suspects from lawful custody at a police facility in Ughelli, concerted police efforts led to the re-arrest of eight suspects. Status: SCID Asaba Investigating."

Further operational successes were also reported. On Sunday, August 16, 2026, operatives apprehended a suspect involved in the unlawful disposal of oil-contaminated sludge along the Ughelli/Iyede Expressway. A truck believed to have been used in this illicit activity was confiscated, and this case is also under investigation at the SCID Asaba.

In Anambra State, a 49-year-old male suspect was arrested on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Obosi in the Idemili North Local Government Area, following actionable intelligence. From his possession, a pump-action gun and 50 live cartridges were recovered, with investigations continuing at the SCID Awka.

Additionally, in Kogi State, security forces achieved the release of twelve kidnap victims on Monday, August 17, 2026. These victims, abducted from Abocho in Dekina Local Government Area, were freed due to sustained pressure from the operatives. They were subsequently taken to the Divisional Police Headquarters for debriefing before being reunited with their respective families. The Force Public Relations Officer also noted similar successful operations in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Oyo, Benue, Niger, Bayelsa, and Ogun states.