The Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected kidnappers and recovered a total of N4 million ransom from them, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The arrests were announced during a press briefing held at the police headquarters in Asaba, the state capital. Commissioner of Police Abaniwonda Olufemi noted that the command is intensifying efforts to fight kidnapping and restore peace in the region by using all available resources to track down and prosecute criminals involved in these crimes.
The Commissioner said, “Proactive policing, intelligence gathering and raid of criminal hideouts are part of the proactive policing approach of the Command.”
Olufemi detailed several recent operations, including one on May 12, 2025, when members of the Dragon patrol team stopped a gold-colored Toyota Sienna bus on the Kwale/Ozoro express road. Four suspects—Abubakar Alwalu (25), Usman Husseini (25), Adamu Mohammed (30), and Anwalu Umaru (23)—were found carrying N3.1 million. They are believed to be part of a gang that kidnapped a woman in Ughelli, held her captive for four days, and collected a ransom of N4 million. The victim has since identified them.
On May 10, 2025, another group of officers from the CP-Special Assignment Team arrested Abdullahi Ibrahim (22), a suspected kidnapper and gang leader from Edo State, in Ore town, Ondo State. He led the police to another gang member, Adamu Usman (24), and to a forest hideout where weapons including an AK-47 rifle and a locally made gun with live ammunition were recovered.
Additionally, on May 12, acting on intelligence about a kidnap incident in Itego community, Ibusa, police arrested Lawal Tasiu (26), who was caught with N900,000 believed to be part of a ransom payment. During interrogation, Tasiu admitted to being part of a gang terrorizing the Ibusa and surrounding areas. Police later recovered weapons and ammunition at the gang’s hideout.
In a separate case, police arrested Mrs. Joy Temitope Oyetimi (49) in Warri, suspected of child trafficking. She reportedly drugged a mother with juice and took her two-month-old baby, who has since been rescued and returned to the family.
