• Delta State Police dismantled a kidnap syndicate in Ogwashi-Ukwu forest, arresting five suspects and recovering ₦5 million in ransom during an operation led by CSP Godwin Osadolor on July 12, 2025.
• Police linked the suspects to multiple kidnapping cases across Ibusa, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Ukwu, and Isele-Asagba, including the abduction of a young woman on July 9, 2025.
• In a separate sting operation, six armed suspects were killed in a gun battle with police along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway, while two others remain hospitalized; four locally made guns and 19 live cartridges were recovered.

Operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad of the Delta State Police Command have successfully dismantled a kidnapping syndicate operating within the Ogwashi-Ukwu forests in Oshimili North Local Government Area. The operation led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of ₦5 million in ransom.

According to reports obtained by PUNCH Online, the operation, which was led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, took place on July 12, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m., following intelligence that linked the suspects to multiple kidnapping incidents across the state.

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Upon arrival at the hideout in Ogwashi-Ukwu, the operatives apprehended a suspect identified as Sanusi Abdulahi, who was found in possession of ₦5 million, believed to be part of the ransom collected from one of their victims.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Warri, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest and gave further details of the operation.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ibusa, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Ukwu, Isele-Asagba, and most recently the kidnapping of a young lady at Ogwashi-Ukwu on the 9th of July, 2025,” the statement read.

Edafe further disclosed that Abdulahi later led police operatives to the gang’s hideouts at Second Deputy and Oko in Asaba, where four additional suspects were arrested. “The suspect led the operatives to their hideout at the Second Deputy and Oko in Asaba, where four other members of his gang were also arrested,” he stated, adding that the investigation is still ongoing.

In a separate operation on July 9, 2025, at about 8:35 a.m., along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway near the Unenurhei axis, the CP-Special Assignment Team carried out a sting operation targeting another criminal group.

The police team raided hideouts of six notorious suspects: Solomon Danisco a.k.a. ‘Picolo’, Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, and Whisky Rufus a.k.a. ‘Asawana’, a native of the Ewu community.

According to police, the suspects, who were heavily armed, engaged the operatives in a fierce gun battle. Several of the criminals sustained serious injuries during the exchange.

“They were taken to the hospital, where six of them were confirmed dead on arrival, while two others are still receiving treatment,” the police confirmed.

Recovered from the suspects were four locally-made firearms and 19 rounds of live ammunition.

The Delta State Police Command has urged continued cooperation from the public and released dedicated emergency contact numbers: 08036684974, 08114895600, and 08025666914.

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to tackling criminal activities and ensuring the safety of residents across the state.

Anambra Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Victims and Arrest Notorious Separatist Leader

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued three kidnapped victims in separate operations across the state after foiling a kidnapping attempt, leading to the arrest of a notorious member of a proscribed armed separatist group.

According to a statement released on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the operations were carried out in the early hours of July 15, 2025, by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, along with local vigilante groups, in a series of coordinated raids across various locations in the state.