Kidnappers Reportedly Kill Abducted Female Realtor, Shoot Police Officer in Delta
On March 24, 2025, a tragedy unfolded in the Ibusa area of Oshimili North Local Government, Delta State, when a female realtor, identified only as Esther, was kidnapped and later confirmed dead. Esther, who was inspecting a piece of land with three colleagues near the Admiralty University of Nigeria, was ambushed by gunmen. Despite efforts to rescue her, the incident ended with a fatal outcome and left a police officer wounded.
The kidnapping occurred while Esther and her colleagues were carrying out their professional duties. According to reports from eyewitnesses and local sources, the group of realtors was inspecting a piece of land in the vicinity of the Admiralty University of Nigeria when they were ambushed by a gang of armed kidnappers. The attackers opened fire on their vehicle, causing panic and forcing the colleagues to flee for their lives. While the others managed to escape, Esther was taken by the assailants, who whisked her away to an unknown location.
In the chaotic aftermath, one of the individuals who had been with Esther sustained gunshot wounds during the attack. The injured colleague was rushed to a nearby hospital and was said to be in critical condition. His injuries added to the growing fear and despair surrounding the abduction, as the authorities scrambled to launch a rescue operation.
Following the kidnapping, the Delta State Police Force quickly mobilized officers to locate and rescue the missing realtor. However, as the police officers ventured into the area in search of Esther, they were ambushed by the same group of kidnappers. The gunmen, likely aware of the police’s approach, opened fire, resulting in one police officer being injured. According to SP Bright Edafe, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, the officer survived the ambush, but the situation was tense, with no fatalities reported among the police team.
The police were quickly forced to retreat and reassess their strategy in dealing with the well-armed criminals. Despite the difficulties faced by law enforcement, the priority remained the safe recovery of Esther, who had been in the hands of her captors for several hours.
As the police efforts to rescue Esther continued, a sad turn of events was revealed. Delta State activist, Comrade Victor Ojie (popularly known as Wong Box), shared a Facebook post on March 25, 2025, confirming that Esther had been killed by the kidnappers. According to Ojie, her lifeless body had been recovered, though it was not clear exactly where or under what circumstances she had been found.
In his post, Ojie offered condolences to Esther’s family, stating, “ESTHER IS DEAD. HER LIFELESS BODY HAS BEEN RECOVERED AND HOPEFULLY WILL BE DEPOSITED AT THE MORTUARY. MAY GOD CONSOLE THE FAMILY SHE LEFT BEHIND. SHE WAS A GRADUATE AND SHE HAD FINISHED HER NYSC.” The reference to her completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program served as a poignant reminder of Esther’s youthful ambition and the tragic nature of her untimely death.
The news of Esther’s death sent shockwaves through the local community, as well as through the larger Nigerian public, which has been increasingly concerned with the rising wave of violent crime, particularly kidnappings, in various regions. Many social media users expressed their horror at the brutal fate of the young woman and shared their grief with her family and colleagues.
The incident sparked outrage and widespread condemnation across social media platforms, with many Nigerians expressing anger at the rising tide of kidnappings, particularly in the southern regions of the country. Esther’s death became emblematic of the growing insecurity that has gripped parts of Nigeria in recent years, with kidnappers targeting not only wealthy individuals but also professionals like realtors, teachers, and business owners.
Many commentators lamented the apparent failure of the state to curb the criminal activities of these gangs and criticized the security forces for being unable to prevent the loss of lives in such situations. Some voiced concerns about the seeming lack of effective measures to protect citizens, especially in rural and semi-urban areas like Ibusa, where the kidnappers were said to have carried out their operation with relative ease.
On the other hand, some Nigerians expressed sympathy for the police officers who risked their lives in an attempt to rescue Esther. Although one officer had been injured in the ambush, the fact that no other police fatalities were reported was seen as a small victory in an otherwise tragic situation. The bravery of law enforcement officers involved in the rescue operation was praised by those who sympathized with the challenges faced by the police in combating violent crimes.
Delta State, along with other regions in southern Nigeria, has seen a significant rise in kidnappings in recent years. The abduction for ransom, which often targets both ordinary citizens and high-profile individuals, has become a major concern. While law enforcement agencies have made efforts to combat this crime, the proliferation of armed groups and the lucrative nature of kidnapping for ransom have made it a persistent problem.
The kidnapping of Esther, a young professional, is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals who are simply going about their daily activities. Many Nigerians are questioning the effectiveness of the government’s response to these crimes, given the increasing frequency and audacity with which kidnappers operate. While there are periodic crackdowns and reports of some successes in the fight against crime, many communities feel that much more needs to be done to ensure public safety.
Experts have pointed to the growing prevalence of organized criminal groups, as well as the failure of the security apparatus to adequately address the issue. In some cases, it is suspected that local political dynamics and the complicity of certain elements within the community may be contributing to the persistence of kidnapping rings.
As of the time of writing, investigations into the incident were still ongoing. Authorities have promised to intensify efforts to track down those responsible for Esther’s kidnapping and death. However, given the challenges posed by these criminal groups, many are skeptical about the likelihood of swift justice.
The case has led to renewed calls for reform in Nigeria’s security forces, with citizens demanding better training, equipment, and coordination in dealing with violent crimes. There is also growing pressure on state and federal governments to improve the overall security infrastructure in regions affected by kidnappings, such as Delta State.
Furthermore, activists and local organizations are rallying behind the demand for stricter punishments for kidnappers and criminals involved in such violent acts. The recent killings of several victims in similar circumstances have left many feeling that the justice system is not doing enough to address the root causes of kidnapping and violent crime.
The kidnapping and eventual killing of Esther in Delta State is a grim reminder of the ongoing security challenges that plague Nigeria. Despite efforts by law enforcement, criminal gangs continue to target innocent citizens, with tragic results. Esther’s death, after a failed rescue attempt and a police ambush, underscores the fragility of public safety in the country.
Her story is one among many in the rising wave of kidnapping incidents, highlighting the need for more decisive action to combat organized crime and protect vulnerable individuals. As investigations continue and the police work to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act, the people of Delta State and the wider Nigerian public will likely continue to demand stronger measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The hope is that justice will be served and that the memory of Esther, a young woman with much promise, will not be forgotten in the ongoing fight against crime in Nigeria.
