Delta State Police Command have arrested two notorious native doctors, three suspected kidnappers and 184 internet fraudsters in Delta and Edo states.
The arrests followed a series of intelligence reports received regarding 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.”
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed:
“On July 19, 2025, in the early hours of the day, the operatives arrested one Peter Benson, a 35-year-old male suspect from Kwale in Ndokwa LGA, Delta State, who is a suspected spiritual herbalist responsible for ritual preparations for the criminal gang.
“The said Adusa has been on the command’s watch list since 2021 but was recently caught when operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, led by ASP Julius Robinson.
“Following intensive interrogation, Peter Benson led operatives to another suspect, one Joseph Saniyo, 63 years old, from Ajakurama 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, aka Aduda, aged 42, along with Ebi Maye, 41, from Poloububor Community in Warri North LGA, Delta State, and Happy Obegha, 39, from Ajakurama Community, Ovia North-East LGA, Edo State.
“During a thorough search of the suspects’ hideouts, the operatives recovered 247 rounds of live ammunition for a submachine gun,” Edafe confirmed.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that their latest plot involved planned coordinated kidnappings across Sapele and Oghara, which were successfully foiled after their arrest.
He said that 247 rounds of ammunition for submachine guns, charms, laptops, phones and other items were recovered.
“Also, the Command, in a combined effort with the Nigerian Army, has arrested some suspects over internet fraud and other cyber-related offences,” he added.
