Police dismantle kidnap syndicate in Delta, arrest three suspects

The Delta State Police Command has apprehended three members of a notorious kidnap and armed robbery gang said to be responsible for a series of criminal operations across Ughelli, Warri, Agbarho, Sapele, and nearby communities.

The arrests were confirmed on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, who explained that the breakthrough followed a directive from the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olufemi Abaniwonda.

The directive ordered the transfer of a kidnapping investigation from the Isiokolo Police Division to the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT).

The case initially led to the arrest of Augustine Ojanuware, who, under interrogation, admitted to being part of the gang involved in multiple kidnappings and robberies in the region.

Acting on the confession, CP-SAT operatives carried out a follow-up operation on 28 June 2025 in the Osubi area of Warri and Ughelli town. The operation resulted in the arrest of two additional suspects: 27-year-old Precious Urhobowin from Ewu Community and 32-year-old Julius Okpako from Oviri-Ogor, both in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

According to police reports, Okpako was identified as the individual responsible for supplying the POS machine used by the gang to collect ransom payments from their victims.

During the arrests, a locally made firearm and eight live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

The trio has been linked to the abduction of a female pharmacist from her home in Ughelli on 19 June 2025. The victim was held for five days and later released following the payment of an undisclosed ransom. Her Lexus SUV was later found abandoned along the Isiokolo axis.

Investigators also connected the suspects to a failed kidnapping attempt in Iyede community on 28 April 2025, during which a male victim was robbed of his Toyota Corolla.

All suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.

The police command has called on residents to stay vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, reaffirming its commitment to breaking up criminal syndicates across Delta State.