Delta State: Police Operatives Bust Notorious Kidnap Gang, Foil Attacks; Recover Guns, Ammunition

Delta State: Police Operatives Bust Notorious Kidnap Gang, Foil Attacks; Recover Guns, Ammunition

…also arrests 180 suspected internet fraudsters in a coordinated crackdown.

By Naomi Onome

In compliance with the directives of the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, on intelligence-led operations and proactive policing, the command has recorded significant operational success in dismantling a high-profile criminal syndicate with cross-border operations across Delta and Edo States.

FOILED ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING, ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS, AND RECOVERY OF TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN (247) ROUNDS OF SUBMACHINE GUN (SMG) RIFLE LIVE AMMUNITIONS:

Sequel to a series of intelligence reports received on the planned abduction of several high-profile individuals in Sapele, Oghara, and their environs by a notorious syndicate under the leadership of one Owei Abebo, alias “ADUSA”, who has been on the Command’s watchlist since 2021, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) led by ASP Julius Robinson swung into a strategic operation.

On 19th July 2025, in the early hours of the day, the operatives arrested one Peter Benson, a 35-year-old male suspect of Kwale in Ndokwa LGA, Delta State, and a suspected spiritual herbalist responsible for ritual preparations for the criminal gang. Following intensive interrogation, Peter Benson led operatives to another suspect, one Joseph Saniyo, 63 years old, of Ajakorama Community, Ovia South-West LGA, Edo State. Saniyo, identified as the syndicate’s primary spiritualist, was found in possession of three live tortoises and other fetish items believed to be used in criminal fortification rituals.

Acting swiftly on further intelligence provided by the arrested suspects, operatives stormed Oghara and successfully apprehended the ringleader, Owei Abebo a.k.a. “Adusa”, aged 42, along with the following male accomplices: Ebi Maye, 41 years, from Poloborbor Community in Warri North LGA, Delta State; and Happy Obegha, 39 years, of Aakoroma Community, Ovia North-East LGA, Edo State.

During a thorough search of the suspect’s hideouts, the operatives recovered two hundred and forty-seven (247) rounds of live ammunition for a submachine gun (SMG) rifle. A preliminary investigation revealed that their latest plot involved planned coordinated kidnappings across Sapele and Oghara, which were successfully foiled after their arrest.

ARREST OF ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FOUR (184) SUSPECTED INTERNET FRAUDSTERS: The command in a combined effort with the Nigeria Army has recorded a significant breakthrough in the fight against internet fraud and other cyber-related offences. On the 21st of July 2025, at about 1745 hrs, operatives of Ekpan Division, acting on credible intelligence in a combined effort with the Nigeria Army, carried out a coordinated raid on a location within Post Housing Estate, Effurun, where suspected internet fraud and terrorism financing activities were taking place.

The operation resulted in the arrest of one Kelvin Odini, aged 33 years, and one hundred and eighty-three (183) others engaged in online fraud-related activities. Items recovered from the suspects include: two hundred and seventy-three (273) assorted laptops, ninety-seven (97) assorted smartphones, one (1) iPad, one (1) tablet phone, nine (9) laptop chargers, and two (2) Wi-Fi routers.

All suspects and exhibits have been taken into custody as investigations intensify to unravel the extent of their operations and apprehend other accomplices.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, commends the gallant officers involved in these operations for their professionalism, bravery, and swift response to credible intelligence. He reiterates the command’s readiness to intensify intelligence operations, surveillance, and community engagement to ensure that Delta State remains uninhabitable for criminal syndicates and individuals engaged in activities inimical to peace and development.

SP. Bright Edafe, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD, PPRO Delta State Police Command Asaba, related this report to the press on Thursday, July 24th, 2025.