Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have successfully dismantled a notorious kidnap syndicate led by one Owei Abebo, popularly known as “ADUSA,” thwarting a coordinated plot to abduct several high-profile individuals in Sapele, Oghara, and surrounding areas.
According to a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, “Adusa” had been on the Command’s watchlist since 2021 for his involvement in multiple kidnapping cases across the state.
According to Edafe, the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) led by ASP Julius Robinson acted swiftly, launching a well-coordinated operation.
On July 19, 2025, in the early hours, the operatives arrested Peter Benson, a 35-year-old suspect from Kwale in Ndokwa LGA, Delta State. He was identified as a spiritual herbalist responsible for preparing rituals to fortify members of the criminal gang.
Following an intense interrogation, Benson led the operatives to Joseph Saniyo, aged 63, from Ajakorama Community in Ovia South-West LGA, Edo State. Saniyo, said to be the gang’s chief spiritualist, was arrested with three live tortoises and other fetish items believed to be used for ritual protection and criminal empowerment.
Armed with further intelligence, the operatives proceeded to Oghara, where they successfully apprehended the gang leader Owei Abebo a.k.a. “Adusa”, aged 42. Two other male accomplices were also arrested: Ebi Maye, 41, from Poloborbor Community in Warri North LGA, Delta State, and Happy Obegha, 39, from Aakoroma Community, Ovia North-East LGA, Edo State.
A thorough search of the suspects’ hideouts led to the recovery of 247 rounds of live ammunition designed for a Submachine Gun (SMG) rifle.
Preliminary investigations confirmed that the syndicate was in the final stages of executing a coordinated series of kidnappings in Sapele and Oghara before being intercepted.
