Delta State Police Command Arrests Eight Suspected Kidnappers, Recovers N4 Million Ransom and Firearms

 

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in Delta State, the Delta State Police Command has successfully apprehended eight suspected kidnappers and recovered a substantial ransom sum totaling Four Million Naira (₦4,000,000) from their possession. This arrest marks a critical step towards dismantling the syndicates terrorizing communities within the state, particularly in the Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, and Issele-Azagbe areas.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, revealed these developments during a detailed press briefing held on Thursday, May 15, 2025. He emphasized the relentless efforts of the command to rid Delta State of the menace of kidnapping, stressing that some of the suspects arrested are members of an organized criminal syndicate responsible for a wave of terror across the affected communities.

Speaking on the operation, CP Abaniwonda stated, “The command is tackling the menace of kidnapping with all available resources to ensure that we arrest and prosecute these hoodlums disturbing the peace in Delta State. Proactive policing, intelligence gathering and raid of criminal hideouts are part of the proactive policing.” This declaration highlights the comprehensive strategy employed by the police, combining intelligence-led operations and proactive fieldwork to bring kidnappers to justice.

The Commissioner further provided specifics on the arrests, explaining that four of the kidnappers were apprehended during a stop-and-search operation conducted along the Kwale/Ozoro express road. This led to the recovery of a ransom amount of Three Million One Hundred Thousand Naira (₦3,100,000).

He narrated the incident in detail: “On 12/5/2025 at about 0930hrs, operatives of Dragon patrol team while conducting stop and search along Kwale/Ozoro express road, intercepted a gold colour Toyota Sienna bus loaded with passengers from Ughelli enroute Asaba.”

“Upon search of the vehicle the sum of Three Million One Hundred Thousand Naira (#3,100,000) was recovered from four suspect namely; Abubakar Alwalu ‘m’ 25yrs, Usman Husseini ‘m’ 25yrs, Adamu Mohammed ‘m’ 30yrs and Anwalu Umaru ‘m’ 23yrs.”

According to the Commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that the four suspects belong to a gang of five individuals believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of a lady in her home at Ughelli. The victim was held captive for four days, and a ransom of Four Million Naira (₦4,000,000) was collected on May 11, 2025. The victim herself has positively identified the suspects, and investigations are still ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang member.

In a related development, the police also arrested two more suspected kidnappers, recovering dangerous weapons in the process, including an AK-47 rifle and a locally made gun, along with ammunition and cartridges.

CP Abaniwonda gave an account of this operation: “On the 10/05/2025 at about 1759hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) trailed, and arrested a suspected kidnapper and gang leader named Abdullahi Ibrahim ‘m’ aged 22yrs of Ekenwa Community in Ovia North-East LGA of Edo State at Ore town of Ondo State.”

He added, “The suspect led the operative to the arrest of another suspect and member of his gang known as Adamu Usman ‘m’ 24yrs of Abeokuta both taking refuge in Ore town.”

Further interrogation by the police revealed a concealed hideout in a forest along the Ore-Lagos expressway, at a location popularly known as “stepdown.” Here, the police recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with fourteen (14) rounds of live ammunition and a locally made long gun with six (6) rounds of live cartridges. The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.

The Commissioner also detailed another arrest linked to a kidnapping incident in Itego community, Ibusa: “On the 12/5/2025, at about 1030hrs, acting on credible intelligence relating to a kidnap incident at Itego community Ibusa where one man (name withheld) was kidnapped and an undisclosed amount was paid as ransom.”

In response, the Commander of the Special Anti-kidnapping and Cyber-crime Squad promptly mobilized operatives who stormed Koka junction, Asaba. There, one of the suspects, later identified as Lawal Tasiu, aged 26 and resident of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was arrested after a high-speed chase. Upon searching the suspect, police recovered Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (₦900,000) believed to be part of his share of the ransom.

“During Interrogation, the suspect stated that he is a member of a syndicate terrorizing Ibusa/Ogwashi-Uku/Issele-Azagbe environs and the money in his possession as part of his own share of ransom collected,” said CP Abaniwonda.

The suspect later cooperated with police officers and led them to their hideout at Issele-Azagba area, where additional weapons were recovered. These included one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, two AK-47 magazines, and a total of eighty-seven (87) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

These series of arrests and recoveries underscore the commitment of the Delta State Police Command to stamp out the menace of kidnapping in the state through intelligence-led operations, coordinated raids, and collaborative efforts with communities.

CP Olufemi Abaniwonda concluded by reassuring the public that the command will continue to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, urging citizens to support law enforcement by providing timely information on criminal activities. The police remain steadfast in their resolve to bring all perpetrators of kidnapping to justice, thereby restoring peace and security to the people of Delta State.