Police Arrest Notorious Kidnapping Gang Leader Over Abduction of Medical Doctor, Others

In a sting operation targeting kidnappers in Delta State, the Police arrested Abubakar Usman, also known as Shehu, who was identified as the leader of a notorious kidnapping gang on the 10th of April, 2025.

According to a statement from ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Public Relations Officer, the suspect confessed to several crimes. These include the kidnapping of a medical doctor in Issele-uku, the abduction and subsequent murder of Mr Godwin Anuka’s wife and daughter in Ogwashi-Uku, and the kidnapping and murder of Ms Esther Ojoh in Ibusa.

Following the confession, Usman led police operatives to the gang’s hideout in a forest along the Asaba/Agbor expressway. During this operation, the police encountered the remaining members of the gang and came under heavy gunfire.

In the ensuing shootout, police successfully neutralized four members of the gang and recovered three AK-47 rifles along with 90 rounds of live ammunition.

In a related case on the same day, police arrested 43-year-old Abdul Sadiq, 22-year-old Ahmad Muazu, and 40-year-old Aliyu Sharif in Dorayi Babba, Kano State, for possessing illegal firearms.

Following further investigation, authorities recovered 15 locally fabricated revolver rifles, 102 live cartridges, and six spent cartridges from the suspects.

Investigations are ongoing to locate the factory where these illegal arms are being produced and to apprehend other individuals involved.