Ogwashi-Uku: Police Rescue Five Kidnapped Members Of Elyon Paradise Ministry

By Daniel Dafe

The police in Delta State have rescued five members of members Elyon Paradise Ministry, Ogwashi-Uku who were kidnapped on 22nd February, 2025, while attending a night vigil service at the church.

Police spokesman in the state, SP Bright Edafe who disclosed on Friday, said following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda took a decisive action by deploying tactical teams to Ogwashi-uku which included relocating operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and cyber-crime squad to the area with a clear mandate to ensure that the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt.

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Adding: “Consequently, on 25th February, 2025, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and cyber-crime Squad led by the Commander, CSP Labe Joseph embarked on a sting operation alongside members of Ubuluku community vigilante, and other concerned indigenes of Ubuluku community, stormed Ubuluku forest where the victims were being held hostage.

He continued: “The kidnappers on sighting the Police engaged the Police in a fierce gun duel but they could not withstand the superior firepower of the Police,” adding that “they took to their heels and abandoned the victims.”

“All five of the Kidnapped members of Elyon Paradise Ministry were rescued unhurt and have since reunited with their families. Exhibits recovered from the scene include thirteen rounds of expended cartridges, a bag containing the sum of One Million, three hundred thousand naira (#1,300,000) suspected to be ransom money. Manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.”

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda commends the gallantry of the operatives and the resilience of good-spirited members of Ubuluku community vigilantes and indigenes which includes some human rights activists who took it upon themselves to follow the Police into the bush during the rescue operation,” he concluded.