A suspected kidnap kingpin, Abubakar Usman, also known as Shehu, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command.
Four other members of his gang were killed during a gun battle in a forest along the Asaba/Agbor Expressway.
This was made known in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, April 14, 2025.
According to the police, the arrest happened during a sting operation on Thursday, April 10.
“The police operatives attached to Delta State Command, on the 10th of April, 2025, in a sting operation on the activities of kidnappers within the state, arrested one Abubakar Usman, also known as Shehu, who was identified as the leader of a deadly kidnapping gang,” Adejobi said.
He added that during questioning, Usman confessed to being behind several kidnapping and murder cases in Delta State.
These include the kidnapping of a medical doctor in Issele-Uku, the abduction of the wife and daughter of Mr Godwin Anuka in Ogwashi-Uku—who was later killed—and the kidnapping and murder of Ms Esther Ojoh in Ibusa.
Usman later led police officers to the gang’s hideout in the forest, where they were attacked by other gang members.
“In the ensuing gun duel, the operatives successfully neutralised four members of the gang and recovered three AK-47 rifles and 90 rounds of live ammunition,” the police spokesman added.
In a separate case in Kano State, police arrested three suspects — Abdul Sadiq, 43; Ahmad Muazu, 22; and Aliyu Sharif, 40 — at Dorayi Babba on the same day.
Officers found 15 locally made revolver rifles, 102 live cartridges, and six used cartridges.
“Investigations are being intensified to locate the factory where these illegal arms are being produced and arrest other culprits,” Adejobi said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the officers for their bravery and promised that the force would not give up in the fight against violent crimes.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to ending violent crimes and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians,” he said.
