Delta State residents in Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku, Isselu-Uku and Ubulu Uku will breathe a sigh of relief as operatives from the CP-Special Assignment Team have engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun duel, resulting in the deaths of four suspects.
The kidnappers were responsible for several high-profile kidnappings in the area, including a doctor at Issele-Uku on April 6, 2025, and released him on April 7, 2025, after collecting a ransom of N15 million.
The gang was also linked to the kidnapping and murder of Esther Ojoh, a realtor, whose corpse was found on March 25, 2025, as well as the wife and daughter of Mr. Godwin Anuka after killing him in the Ogwashi-Uku area.
A statement by the Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Beight, said the police operation was sparked by the medical doctor’s kidnapping, and the CP-Special Assignment Team tracked down the gang leader, Abubakar Usman, also known as “Shehu.”
During the operation, the police recovered three A.K-47 Rifles, and 90 Rounds of 7.62mm Live Ammunition
The statement reads in full: “RESIDENTS OF ASABA, OGWASHI-UKU, UBULUKU BREATHS A SIGH OF RELIEF AS OPERATIVES OF CP-SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT TEAM ENGAGES SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS, FOUR SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS KILLED IN THE GUN DUEL, RECOVERED THREE AK-47 RIFLES
“The syndictate were responsible for the kidnap of a medical doctor and also responsible for the kidnap and murder of Esther Ojoh.
“Following the kidnap of a doctor at Issele-uku on the 6th 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.
“In complaince 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” 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.
“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. He also confessed to being responsible for the kidnap of a realtor Esther Ojoh at Ibusa whose corpse was later found on the 25th March 2025.
“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 on 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 gun shot injuries. Three AK-47 rifles, Ninety (90) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered. The injured suspect were taken to general hospital Ogwashi-uku where they were all confirmed dead.
“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.”
