Police nab 8 suspected kidnappers, r1ecover N4 Million Ransom in Delta

DDM News

The Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected kidnappers and recovered N4 million ransom in a string of coordinated raids.

The arrests were part of efforts to combat the surge in kidnapping cases across the state and restore public safety.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the suspects were apprehended in various parts of Delta, Edo, and Ondo States.

Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the State Police Headquarters in Asaba on Thursday.

He stated that the police command has intensified proactive policing techniques, including intelligence gathering and frequent raids on criminal hideouts.

On May 12, 2025, operatives of the Dragon Patrol team intercepted a gold-colored Toyota Sienna vehicle during a routine stop-and-search along the Kwale/Ozoro expressway.

The vehicle was heading from Ughelli to Asaba with several passengers onboard.

Upon searching the vehicle, police recovered the sum of N3.1 million.

Four men were arrested in connection with the money: Abubakar Alwalu (25), Usman Husseini (25), Adamu Mohammed (30), and Anwalu Umaru (23).

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of a kidnapping gang that abducted a woman from her home in Ughelli.

The victim was held captive for four days before a ransom of N4 million was collected by the gang.

The woman later identified all four suspects, confirming their involvement.

In another incident on May 10, 2025, police operatives arrested a suspected kidnap gang leader, Abdullahi Ibrahim (22), in Ore town, Ondo State.

He was tracked and apprehended by the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) following credible intelligence.

His arrest led to the capture of another gang member, Adamu Usman (24), who was also hiding in Ore town.

During interrogation, the suspects took police officers to their hideout in a forest near the Ore-Lagos expressway.

An AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds of live ammunition and a locally made long gun with six cartridges were recovered from the location.

On the same day, May 12, 2025, police received intelligence about a kidnapping in Itego community, Ibusa.

A man had been abducted, and ransom money had been paid for his release.

The Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad responded swiftly and arrested a suspect at Koka Junction, Asaba.

The suspect, Lawal Tasiu (26), who resides in Abuja, was caught after a dramatic chase by the police.

A search on him led to the recovery of N900,000, suspected to be part of the ransom paid.

During questioning, Tasiu admitted being part of a syndicate operating in the Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, and Issele-Azagba areas.

He also revealed that the recovered money was his share from the ransom collected.

On May 13, 2025, Tasiu led operatives to a hideout in Issele-Azagba.

There, the police recovered another AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, two AK-47 magazines, and 87 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

In a separate case, the Delta Police Command arrested a woman involved in a disturbing child trafficking operation.

The suspect, Mrs. Joy Temitope Oyetimi (49), allegedly drugged a mother using juice before stealing her two-month-old baby in Warri.

Following a tip-off, the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpan Division launched an intelligence-driven investigation.

The suspect was later tracked and arrested.

During a discreet interrogation, she confessed to stealing the baby.

The child, who is now five months old, has been rescued and reunited with his biological parents.

Commissioner Olufemi reaffirmed the command’s determination to rid the state of criminal elements.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with timely and accurate information.

Delta State, located in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, has been battling a wave of kidnappings linked to criminal syndicates.

Rising unemployment, economic hardship, and illegal arms trafficking have been cited as contributing factors.

The recent breakthrough by the police underscores the effectiveness of sustained surveillance and rapid response strategies.

Olufemi assured residents that the command would continue to pursue criminals until Delta State becomes completely safe for all.

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