Delta Police Neutralize Five Suspected Kidnappers, Arrest Three, Recover Arms
ASABA/Nigeria: In a major breakthrough against kidnapping and violent crimes, operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers and neutralized five others during an intelligence-led operation in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Edafe Bright, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP SAT) acted on credible intelligence to track down members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate.
According to the statement, the operation began on March 21, 2025, at about 11:00 p.m. when police operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson apprehended Adamu Abubakar, popularly known as “Dogo,” identified as the leader of the syndicate, at DSC Roundabout in Warri. His arrest and subsequent interrogation led to the capture of two other suspects, Abubakar Mohammed, alias “Chede,” and Mohammed Bellow, at Otovwodo Park in Ughelli North.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate was responsible for a series of kidnappings and armed robberies across Iyamuge, Otu-Jeremi, Warri, Ughelli, and surrounding areas. Acting on their confessions, police operatives were led to Iyamugo Forest, where they uncovered a cache of weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, three locally made firearms, two magazines, sixty rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and seventeen live cartridges.
However, as the police were exiting the forest, suspected gang members launched an ambush, engaging the operatives in a gun duel. Five of the assailants sustained gunshot injuries and were later pronounced dead at the hospital, while others managed to escape.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, commended the CP Special Assignment Team for their efforts in combating violent crime, noting that their deployment had significantly enhanced security in the region. The arrested suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
