Momoh Umar Momoh, Benin
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have killed four suspected kidnappers during a gun duel in the State.
The spokesperson of the Command, SP. Edafe Bright disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday.
Edafe alleged that the suspects who were kidnapping syndicates were responsible for the abduction of a medical doctor, who they collected the sum of N15 million ransom from before his release.
He also alleged that the suspects killed one Mr Godwin Anuka at Ogwashi-uku and later abducted his wife and daughter as well as kidnapped and killed one Esther Ojoh, a realtor at the Ibusa area of the state
He said the corpse of the killed realtor was later found on March 25, 2025.
Edafe explained that the suspects were killed during the gun duel with operatives of CP-SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT TEAM at a forest along Asaba/Agbor express road between Okpanam and Issele-Asagba.
The Command’s image maker added that during an intelligence-led investigation and sting operation, the gang leader of the deadly kidnapping syndicate, one Abubakwr Usman popularly known as “Shehu,” was arrested.
He alleged that the gang was responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ogwashi-uku, Ibusa, Ubuluku, and environs.
The statement read in part: “Following the kidnap of a doctor at Issele-uku on the 6th April 2025 and his release on the 7th of April 2025 after collecting a ransom of fifteen million naira (#15,000,000) from the medical doctor and the driver.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed operatives of CP-SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT TEAM to embark on an intelligence-led investigation and ensure that the kidnappers are arrested and brought to justice.
“In compliance with the said directive, the commander CP Special assignment team led his team in a sting operation at about 2200 hours of 10/04/2025 and trailed and arrested one Abubakar Usman, popularly known as ‘Shehu.
“The suspect is the gang leader of a deadly kidnapping syndicate and responsible for series of kidnappings at Ogwashi-uku, Ibusa, Ubuluku, and environs and also responsible for the kidnapping of the medical doctor and collected a ransom of #15,000,000.
“They were also responsible for the kidnapping of the wife and daughter of Mr Godwin Anuka after killing him at the Ogwashi-uku area as well.
“He also confessed to being responsible for the kidnapping of a realtor, Esther Ojoh at Ibusa, whose corpse was later found on the 25th of March 2025.
“Acting on his confession at about 1100hours of 11th April 2025, the suspect led operatives to their hideout, a forest along Asaba/Agbor express road between Okpanam and Issele-Asagba where on the process of searching the Area, suspect raised an alarm and fled to join his waiting gang members.
“The gang members engaged the team in a fierce gun duel during which four of the suspects, including the said Usman Abubakar, sustained serious gunshot injuries.
“The injured suspects were taken to general hospital Ogwashi-uku where they were all confirmed dead,” he said.
Edafe listed items recovered from the suspects to include three AK-47 rifles, 90 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
He added that the commissioner of Police in the State, Olufemi Abaniwonda, who commended the gallantry of operatives of CP-SAT, noted that their bravery is worth emulating and urged other officers to emulate them.
The Commissioner also thanked all the concerned people of Delta State for trusting the Police with useful, credible and timely information and solicited for more support assuring that the command under his leadership will not disappoint them.
