Major Arrests and Gunfight Uncover Kidnapping Syndicates in Delta State
In a significant operation, the Special Anti-kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad of the Delta State Police Command successfully dismantled a kidnappers’ syndicate operating in the Ogwashi-Ukwu forests within the Oshimili North Local Government Area. The team arrested five suspects and recovered N5m in ransom money from the gang.
The operation was led by CSP Godwin Osadolor and took place on July 12, 2025, at approximately 0630 hours. The squad had been tracking suspected kidnappers who had been terrorizing Delta State for some time. Upon arriving at the hideout in Ogwashi-Ukwu, they apprehended a suspect named Sanusi Abdulahi, who was found in possession of N5m, part of the ransom collected from one of their victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Delta State, Bright Edafe, confirmed that a preliminary investigation revealed the suspects were allegedly involved in multiple kidnappings across several locations, including Ibusa Ogwash-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Ukwu, Isele-Asagba, and most recently, the kidnapping of a young lady in Ogwashi-Ukwu on July 9, 2025.
According to the PPRO, the suspect led the operatives to another hideout in the second Deputy and Oko areas of Asaba, where four other members of his gang were also arrested. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
Another Operation Unveils Armed Criminals
In a separate incident, on July 9, 2025, at around 0835 hours, operatives from the CP-Special Assignment Team conducted a sting operation along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway near the Unenurhei area. They raided the hideouts of several individuals, including Solomon Danisco, known as ‘Picolo’, Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, and Whisky Rufus, also known as ‘Asawana’, who is originally from the Ewu community.
During the operation, the suspects, who were heavily armed, engaged in a fierce gunfight with security forces. Both the suspects and their gang members sustained serious gunshot injuries. The police reported that six of the suspects were confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital, while two others remained under treatment.
Among the items recovered from the criminals were four locally-made guns and 19 live rounds of ammunition. This discovery highlights the increasing threat posed by armed criminal groups in the region.
Call for Public Support and Contact Information
In response to these incidents, the state police command has urged the public to provide continued support in combating crime. They have also released the contact numbers for the Command’s dedicated control room, which include 08036684974, 08114895600, and 08025666914. These numbers are intended to facilitate communication between the police and the public, ensuring prompt reporting of any suspicious activities.
The recent operations demonstrate the commitment of the Delta State Police to maintaining law and order. By taking down these criminal networks, they aim to restore peace and security to the communities affected by such activities.
The ongoing investigations will likely reveal more details about the operations and the extent of the criminal activities carried out by these groups. Authorities are expected to release further updates as the cases progress.
