Police Dismantle Kidnap Syndicate in Delta, Recover N5m Ransom

DELTA STATE, NIGERIA  A major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping was recorded on July 12, 2025, as officers from the Delta State Police Command raided a criminal hideout in Ogwashi-Ukwu forest, Oshimili North. The early morning operation led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of N5 million in ransom cash.

The Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, traced the gang to their base following weeks of surveillance. At about 6:30 a.m., the team closed in on the suspects, capturing Sanusi Abdulahi with part of the ransom money reportedly extorted from a recent victim.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrests in a statement released in Warri. He revealed that initial findings link the suspects to a string of kidnappings across several communities including Ibusa, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Ukwu, and Isele-Asagba.

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Abdulahi later led the police to more hideouts in the Asaba area, where four other members of the gang were also arrested. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to uncover further links to other criminal networks.

In a related incident, police operatives carried out another raid on July 9, 2025, along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway near the Unenurhei area. Acting on intelligence, the CP-Special Assignment Team targeted a gang led by a suspect known as Solomon Danisco, alias “Picolo.”

The confrontation turned violent as the suspects opened fire on police officers. In the ensuing gun battle, six gang members sustained fatal injuries and were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital. Two others are still undergoing treatment under police custody.

Weapons recovered from the scene included four locally-made firearms and 19 live cartridges. The command reaffirmed its commitment to stamping out crime in the state and restoring safety to all communities.

 

 

 

Content Credit: Dada Blessing

Image Credit: Daily report.com