By Frank Oshanugor
Residents of Delta State capital Asaba and Ogwashi-Uku, Ubulu-Uku communities have been saved from the deadly hands of four kidnappers who were among the gang that has created night mare in recent time in the area, as police on Friday neutralised them.
They all died as a result of serious bullet wounds sustained during a gun fuel with the police in the hide out along Asaba – Agbor expressway. Three AK-47 Rifles were subsequently recovered from the kidnappers.
Spokesman of Delta State Police Command, Asaba, Bright Edafe in a statement on Saturday said the syndictate was responsible for the kidnap of a medical doctor and also responsible for the kidnap and murder of Esther Ojoh.”
The statement reads that: “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 complaince with the said directive, the commander CP Special assignment team, ASP Julius Robinson led his team in a sting operation at about 10pm on 10th April, 2025 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 and also responsible for the kidnap of the medical doctor and collected a ransom of #15,000,00.
“They were also responsible for the kidnap of the wife and daughter of Mr Godwin Anuka after killing him at Ogwashi-uku area as well. He also confessed to being responsible for the kidnap of a realtor Esther Ojoh at Ibusa whose corpse was later found on the 25th March 2025.
“Acting on his confession at about 11am of 11th April 2025, the suspect led operatives to their hideout, a forest along Asaba/Agbor express road between Okpanam and Issele-Asagba where in 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 gun shot injuries. Three AK-47 rifles, Ninety (90) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered. The injured suspect were taken to general hospital Ogwashi-Uku where they were all confirmed dead.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda has commended the gallantry of operatives of CP-SAT noting that “their braveness is outstanding” even as he has urged other officers to emulate them. He also thanked all the concerned people of Delta State for trusting the Police with useful, credible and timely information and solicited more support assuring them that the command under his leadership would not disappoint.
