The Delta State Police Command said its officers have killed four suspected bandits hiding in the forest between Asaba and Agbor.
According to Delta State police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe, the gang had carried out kidnappings around the Ogwashi-Uku and Ubulu-Uku axis. The latest case being a medical doctor kidnaped on April 6 and released the next day after N15m ransom was paid. And it was this episode to led to the arrest of a member of the gang.
“Following the kidnap of a doctor at Issele-uku on April 6, 2025 and his release on April 7, 2025, after collecting a ransom of N15 million from the medical doctor and the driver,” Edafe said in a statement Saturday.
“The commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed operatives of the CP-Special Assessment 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, ASP Julius Robinson led his team in a sting operation on Friday 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 kidnap at Ogwashi-uku, Ibusa, Ubuluku and environs.
“The group is also responsible for the kidnapping and murder of estate realtor, late Esther Ojoh.
“They were also responsible for the kidnapping of the wife and daughter of Mr Godwin Anuka after killing him at Ogwashi-uku area as well, and also confessed to being responsible for the kidnapping of a realtor, Esther Ojoh, at Ibusa, whose corpse was later found on the 25th March 2025”
He narrated that the arrested supect led security operatives to their hide out along the Asaba/Agbor highway. But the suspected alerted his gang members by shouting. They opened fire on the police team, but they were eventually overpowered. The gang members including Usman Abubakar were fatally wounded were confirmed dead at the Ogwashi-uku, General Hospital.
The police recovered three three AK-47 rifles, and 90 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.