Police Rescue Five Abducted Church Members Recover Ransom Payment

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Delta state police  Command on Friday, February 28, 2025,  announced the safe release  of five kidnap victims from abductors’ den  in Ubukulu Ogwashi-Ukwu area of the State.

The Command, also,  recovered the sum of N1.3 million among other things from the hoodlums’ operating cell.

The Source reports that five members of a new generation Church, Elyon Paradise Ministry,  were on Saturday February, 22, abducted at the church premises in Ogwashi-Ukwu area during a Night Vigil Service.

A statement from the Delta State Police Command spokesperson, Bright Edafe, informed that the rescue followed a coordinated operation by a tactical team deployed in  the wake of the kidnap by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda.

The team, comprising operatives from the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad, were said to have been given a marching order to ensure the safe release of the victims.

” On the 25th, February, 2025, Operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-Crime Squad led by the Commander, CSP Labe Joseph, embarked on a sting operation alongside members of the Ubuluku Community vigilante and other concerned indigenes of the Ubuluku Community.

“They stormed Ubuluku Forest where the victims were being held hostage .

“Upon sighting the Police, the kidnappers engaged in a fierce gun duel, but could not withstand the superior firepower of the police .

“They took to their heels and abandoned the victims. All five Kidnapped members of Elyon Paradise Ministry were rescued unharmed and have since been reunited with their families.

“Exhibits recovered from the scene include thirteen rounds of expanded cartridges and a bag containing the sum of one million, three  hundred thousand naira (N1,300,000) suspected to be ransom money” the police stated .

While lauding the  Operatives for their gallant efforts, the State Commissioner of Police emphasized the need for  continuous collaborative efforts between security agencies and the public in the fight against crime and criminal elements.

He  reaffirmed the  commitment of the police and other security agencies towards  ensuring adequate protection of lives and properties across the State.