Residents Of Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku, Ubuluku Breathe Sigh Of Relief, As Police Kill Four Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Three Ak-47 Rifles

By Daniel Dafe

Residents of Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku and Ubuluku can now breathe a sigh of relief following the death of four suspected kidnappers that terrorized the said areas.

They lost their lives during an exchange of gunfire with police officers.

Esther Ojoh, the realtor who they kidnapped and murdered

A statement on Saturday by SP. Edafe Bright, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, Asaba that disclosed the development, said that following the kidnap of a doctor at Issele-Uku on the 6th of April, 2025 and his release on the 7th of April, 2025 after collecting a ransom of fifteen million naira (#15,000,000) from the medical doctor and the driver, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda directed operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team to embark on an intelligence-led investigation and ensure that the kidnappers are arrested and brought to justice.

Adding: “In compliance with the said directive, the Commander, CP Special Assignment Team, ASP Julius Robinson led his team in a sting operation at about 2200hours of 10/04/2025 trailed and arrested one Abubakar Usman popularly known as “Shehu,” saying that “the suspect is the gang leader of a deadly kidnapping syndicate and responsible for series of kidnap at Ogwashi-uku, Ibusa, Ubuluku and environs and also responsible for the kidnap of the medical doctor and collected a ransom of #15,000,000.”

According to the statement, “they were also responsible for the kidnap of the wife and daughter of Mr. Godwin Anuka after killing him at Ogwashi-uku area as well.”

The police spokesman said he also confessed to being responsible for the kidnap of a realtor, Esther Ojoh at Ibusa whose corpse was later found on the 25th of March, 2025.

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The statement said further: “Acting on his confession at about 1100hours of 11th April, 2025, the suspect led operatives to their hideout, a forest along Asaba/Agbor express road between Okpanam and Issele-Asagba where in the process of searching the Area, suspect raised an alarm and fled to join his waiting gang members. The gang members engaged the team in a fierce gun duel during which four of the suspects including the said Usman Abubakar sustained serious gunshot injuries.”

Three AK-47 rifles, ninety (90) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered.

“The injured suspects were taken to general hospital Ogwashi-uku where they were all confirmed dead,” the police said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda commended the gallantry of operatives of CP-SAT, noting that their braveness is worth emulating and urged other officers to emulate them.

He also thanked all the concerned people of Delta State for trusting the Police with useful, credible and timely information and solicited for more support, assuring them that the command under his leadership will not disappoint.