Metro

Three Suspects Arrested In Police Crackdown On Delta Kidnappers

Published

6 months ago

July 16, 2025

Operatives of the Special Anti-kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad of the Delta State Police Command have botched a kidnappers’ syndicate hibernating in Ogwashi-Ukwu forests in Oshimili North Local Government Area and arrested five suspects while N5m ransom was recovered from the gangsters.

According to The PUNCH, the Special Anti-kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, led by CSP Godwin Osadolor, on July 12, 2025, at about 0630hrs, trailed suspected kidnappers terrorising Delta State to one of their hideouts at Ogwashi-Ukwu.

On arrival at the location, a suspected kidnapper named Sanusi Abdulahi was arrested in possession of ransom of N5m, which was part of the ransoms the gangsters collected from one of their victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State, Bright Edafe, in a signed statement in Warri on Tuesday, said, “A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ibusa Ogwash-Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Ukwu, Isele-Asagba and most recently the kidnapping of a young lady at Ogwashi-Ukwu on July 9, 2025.

“The suspect led the operatives to their hideout at the second Deputy, and Oko in Asaba, where four other members of his gang were also arrested,” the PPRO affirmed, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

In another development, on July 9, 2025, at about 0835 hours, along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway, near the Unenurhei area, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, in a sting operation, raided the hideouts of one Solomon Danisco aka ‘Picolo’, Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin and Whisky Rufus, aka ‘Asawana’, a native of Ewu community.

During the operations, the suspects, heavily armed, reportedly engaged the security operatives in a fierce gun duel during which the suspects and their gang members sustained serious gunshot injuries.

The police said they were taken to the hospital, where six of them were confirmed dead on arrival, while two others are still receiving treatment.

Exhibits recovered from the hoodlums included four locally-made guns and 19 rounds of live cartridges.

Meanwhile, the state police command has called for sustained support from members of the public, just as it released the Command’s dedicated control room phone numbers, which include 08036684974, 08114895600 and 08025666914, respectively.

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone In Igbesa

Published

11 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Editor

A fire broke out on Sunday at the Ogun State Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa.

As of this report, there has been no official statement on what caused the incident. However, a resident said the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The source added that the fire spread quickly, affecting nearby houses before emergency responders arrived.

Details later…

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.