Delta Police Gun Down Kidnap Kingpin, Arrest Gun Runners, Recover 21 Firearms, 7,000 Rounds of Ammunition in Three Months

ASABA/Nigeria: In a sweeping crackdown on criminal activities, the Delta State Police Command has recorded major operational breakthroughs in the first quarter of 2025, including the killing of a notorious kidnap kingpin and his gang members, recovery of over 7,000 rounds of ammunition, and arrest of armed robbers and gun runners across the state and beyond.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, while briefing journalists on Tuesday in Asaba, said the command’s sustained intelligence-driven operations have continued to yield significant results in making the state unsafe for criminal elements.

According to the CP, the most high-profile case involved a deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of high-profile abductions in Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa, Issele-Uku, and Ubuluku. The group, led by one Abubakar Usman, also known as “Shehu”, met their end in a gun battle with police operatives on April 11 in a forest between Okpanam and Issele-Asagba.

“Shehu was arrested after the kidnapping of a medical doctor in Issele-Uku and a N15 million ransom was paid. He confessed to multiple crimes, including the killing of realtor Esther Ojoh and the murder of Mr. Godwin Anuka. When he led operatives to their forest hideout, his gang ambushed the police. Four suspects, including Shehu, sustained gunshot injuries and later died. Three AK-47 rifles and 90 rounds of ammunition were recovered,” CP Olufemi stated.

In another operation on March 3, along the Warri-Benin road, a suspected arms trafficker, Peter James, was arrested while conveying three AK-47 rifles and 3,120 rounds of ammunition hidden in a modified Toyota Camry. Similarly, on March 6, two men disguised as traders were nabbed near Onicha-Ugbo with seven pump-action guns and 1,600 cartridges concealed under sacks of garri and palm oil.

Also on March 15, the Youth President of Ekpan community, Victor Edavwe, was arrested following intelligence reports linking him to an AK-47 rifle purchase. A search of an associate’s home led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a single-barrel gun, two daggers, three cutlasses, and 44 rounds of ammunition concealed in the ceiling.

On vehicle-related crimes, the CP revealed the arrest of a serial car snatcher, Collins Abo, and his gang in Kogi State. Their operations led to the recovery of eight suspected stolen vehicles and a Beretta pistol. “These arrests followed the kidnap of a man in Agbarho and the theft of his car. Our men followed the trail to Kogi State and dismantled the ring,” he said.

Another bloody encounter with criminals occurred on March 21 in Iyamugo Forest, Ughelli North, where five suspected kidnappers died during a shootout with operatives. The Police had earlier arrested the group’s leader, Adamu Abubakar alias ‘Dogo,’ who led the team to a cache of arms including an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, three locally made firearms, and 60 rounds of ammunition.

In Rivers State, on March 26, operatives trailed and arrested a suspected kidnapper, Chedeye Mohammed. He later led them to a bush where one AK-47 rifle and 13 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. “The syndicate operated in Ughelli and Agbarho but retreated to Rivers to avoid detection,” the CP added.

Further operations in Anyangba, Kogi State, on March 30, resulted in the arrest of three suspected gun runners and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one automatic pump-action gun, and a Beretta pistol with ammunition. A fourth suspect, Samaila Mohammed, was also apprehended.

In Olomoro community, Isoko South, on March 25, police arrested a suspect in possession of 82 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition during a covert operation.

While reaffirming the command’s commitment to proactive policing, CP Olufemi appealed to residents of Delta State to remain vigilant and partner with the Police in the fight against criminality. “We will not relent. This command is committed to flushing out criminal elements from every corner of Delta State,” he assured.

The CP further disclosed that investigations are ongoing in all the cases, and more arrests are expected in the coming weeks as the dragnet continues to spread.