Delta Police Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Recover ₦5m Ransom in Major Crackdown

The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to rid the state of kidnappers and criminal gangs, with the arrest of five suspected kidnappers and the recovery of ₦5 million in ransom money.

In a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the arrests were made on July 12, 2025, by operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor. Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives stormed a hideout in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Oshimili North Local Government Area, where they apprehended a suspect identified as Sanusi Abdulahi.

Sanusi was found in possession of ₦5 million, believed to be part of a ransom collected from a recent kidnapping victim. Preliminary investigations linked the gang to several kidnapping incidents across communities including Ibusa, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Issele-Uku, and Issele-Asagba.

The suspect later led police to other hideouts in Second Deputy and Oko areas of Asaba, resulting in the arrest of four more gang members.

In a separate incident, also detailed in the release, operatives from the CP’s Special Assignment Team engaged another suspected kidnap gang in a fierce gun battle along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway near the Unenurhei axis on July 9, 2025. The suspects — identified as Solomon Danisco a.k.a. “Picolo,” Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, and Whisky Rufus a.k.a. “Asawana,” among others — opened fire on the police during a raid.

Six suspects who sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight were later confirmed dead at the hospital, while two others remain hospitalized under police guard. The operation led to the recovery of four locally made firearms and nineteen live cartridges.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the teams involved for their bravery and professionalism. He reaffirmed the command’s resolve to ensure the safety and security of Delta residents.
The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the command’s dedicated control room lines: 08036684974, 08114895600, 08025666914
The Delta State Police Command continues its crackdown on criminal networks as it intensifies operations across all flashpoints in the state.