Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have engaged and neutralised four suspected kidnappers in major combat against kidnapping.
The deceased kidnappers were engaged and neutralised by operatives of CP Special Assignment along Issele-Uku.
The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, in a statement on Saturday, April 12, 2024, said the dead suspects and other members of their syndicate were responsible for the kidnap of a medical doctor and also the kidnap and murder of Esther Ojoh.
The Police image-maker said, “Following the kidnap of a doctor at Issele-uku on the 6th of 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 CP 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 2200hours of 10/04/2025 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 #15,000,000.
“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 of March 2025.
“Acting on his confession at about 1100hours 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, the suspect raised 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.”
