By Editor
suspected kidnap kingpin, identified as Abubakar Usman, has been arrested following a security operation that led to the rescue of a woman abducted in Delta State after her captors allegedly demanded a ₦100 million ransom.
The development was disclosed by security advocate and founder of SafeCity Security Service, Harrison Gwamnishu, in a statement shared via his official Facebook page.
According to Gwamnishu, the victim, Mrs. Blessing Chiedu, a native of Umunede Kingdom, was abducted on July 2, 2026, along the Ani-Ifekide Farm Road in Ubulu-Uku. Following information about the incident, he said the matter was immediately escalated to the Delta State Police Command's Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Asaba, led by CSP Osakpolor.
He explained that a rescue operation, aided by the SafeCity Hydra Tech Surveillance System, was launched, leading to the successful rescue of the victim along the Ubulu-Unor/Ashama Road. She was rescued alive and unharmed.
Gwamnishu said security operatives immediately launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects, with the operation continuing through the night until about 6:45 a.m. when the surveillance system reportedly traced the gang to a hideout in the Ogwashi-Uku/Adonta Forest.
He stated that a gun battle ensued during the operation, resulting in the arrest of Abubakar Usman, described as one of the most wanted suspects, while other members of the gang reportedly escaped into the forest with their firearm.
According to Gwamnishu, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect and his gang have allegedly been linked to several kidnapping incidents across Igbodo, Umunede and neighbouring communities, where they are accused of collecting millions of naira in ransom from victims' families.
He commended the Delta State Police Command, officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, members of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, local security volunteers and community leaders for their roles in the operation.
Gwamnishu also expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government for creating what he described as an enabling environment for security agencies to carry out the operation, while reaffirming his commitment to working with security stakeholders to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
The Delta State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the operation at the time of filing this report.