In a daring operation, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad have rescued five members of Elyon Paradise Ministry, Ogwashi-uku, in Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State, who were kidnapped on February 22, 2025. The victims were abducted while attending a night vigil service at the church.
A statement by the State Police Command said CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, in response to the saga, swiftly deployed tactical teams to Ogwashi-uku, including relocating operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and cyber-crime squad.
On February 25, 2025, the operatives, led by Commander CSP Labe Joseph, embarked on a sting operation alongside Ubulu Uku community vigilantes and concerned indigenes.
The team stormed Ubulu Uku forest, where the victims were being held hostage, and engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel. The kidnappers were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the Police and abandoned the victims, who were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families.
Exhibits recovered from the scene include 13 rounds of expended cartridges and a bag containing ₦1.3 million suspected to be ransom money. A manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
CP Abaniwonda commended the gallantry of the operatives and the resilience of Ubulu Uku community vigilantes and indigenes, including human rights activists who supported the Police during the rescue operation.
The statement reads in full, “28th February, 2025, PRESS RELEASE. OGWASHI-UKU SECURITY. CP OLUFEMI ABANIWONDA POLICING STRATEGIES PAY OFF AS OPERATIVES OF SPECIAL ANTI-KIDNAPPING AND CYBER-CRIME SQUAD ENGAGE SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS AND RESCUE FIVE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS OF ELYON PARADISE MINISTRY OGWASHI-UKU
“Following the unfortunate kidnap incident that occurred on 22/2/2025 where five (5) members of Elyon Paradise Ministry Ogwashi-uku were kidnapped while attending a night vigil service at the church.
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda took decisive action by deploying tactical teams to Ogwashi-uku which included relocating operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and cyber-crime squad to Ogwashi-uku with a clear mandate to ensure that the kidnapped victims are rescued unhurt.
“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 Ubulu Uku community, stormed Ubulu Uku forest where the victims were being held hostage.
“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, 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.”
