Police arrest kidnap ring leader in Delta, kill four

The Delta State Police Command has successfully apprehended a notorious kidnap kingpin, Abubakar Usman, also known as Shehu, during a daring operation on Thursday. 

The operation, which led to a violent shootout, resulted in the death of four members of Usman’s gang.

In a statement released on Monday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed Usman’s arrest, which took place in Delta State.

Usman has since admitted to leading a deadly kidnapping syndicate, and his capture is seen as a significant breakthrough in the fight against organized crime in the region.

“The Nigeria Police Force, in its quest to sustain the tempo of the fight against violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and banditry, has again recorded significant successes across the country.

“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 ‘m’ AKA Shehu, who was identified as the leader of a deadly kidnapping gang.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to multiple crimes, including the kidnapping of a medical doctor at Issele-uku, Delta State, the kidnapping of the wife and daughter of Mr Godwin Anuka at Ogwashi-Uku, and his subsequent murder, and also the kidnapping and murder of Ms Esther Ojoh at Ibusa,” he stated.

He added that Usman later led police officers to the gang’s hideout in a forest along the Asaba/Agbor Expressway.

There, the officers came under heavy gunfire from other gang members.

Adejobi added, “The suspect further led operatives to the gang’s hideout in a forest along Asaba/Agbor Expressway, where the operatives encountered the rest of the gang and came under heavy fire.

“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.”

In a separate incident in Kano State on the same day, police arrested three suspects, Abdul Sadiq, 43; Ahmad Muazu, 22; and Aliyu Sharif, 40, at Dorayi Babba.

Acting on a tip-off, officers discovered 15 locally made revolver rifles, 102 live cartridges, and six used cartridges.

The police are now working to find the illegal factory producing the weapons and to arrest more suspects.

The police spokesman said, “Further investigation led to the recovery of 15 locally fabricated revolver rifles, 102 live cartridges, and 6 expended cartridges from the suspects. Investigations are being intensified to locate the factory where these illegal arms are being produced and arrest other culprits.”

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, praised the officers for their courage and commitment.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force is committed to ending violent crimes and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians.”