WORDS Men who k!dnapped and m$rdered realtor in Delta state shot de@d during crossfire with police
In a state already struggling with the weight of insecurity and violent crimes, the abduction and murder of a young realtor, Esther Ojoh, in Ibusa, Delta State, sent shockwaves across the community and beyond. It was a crime that cut deep — brutal, calculated, and symbolic of a growing trend of organized kidnappings in the region. But just weeks after her gruesome death, justice came fast and hard. In a well-coordinated sting operation, police operatives engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun battle that left four of them, including their alleged gang leader, Abubakar Usman, also known as Shehu, dead.
This is the full story of how tragedy, investigation, and a fierce exchange of gunfire culminated in what many are calling a victory for justice and a warning to criminal networks across Delta State.
On Monday, March 24, 2025, realtor Esther Ojoh set out on a routine site visit near the Nigerian Admiralty University, Ibusa. As a rising star in the local real estate industry, Esther was known for her work ethic and ambition. She wasn’t just a land agent; she was a dream builder for dozens of middle-class Nigerians looking to invest in property.
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That day, she was in the company of three others — prospective buyers and possibly a driver — as they went to inspect a parcel of land in the outskirts of Ibusa, a community in Oshimili North Local Government Area. But what should have been a routine inspection quickly turned into a nightmare.
As the group approached the land, armed men emerged from the bush, ambushing them at gunpoint. Esther and the others were seized, bundled into waiting vehicles, and driven deep into the forest. Days later, her body was discovered, dumped in the wild — lifeless, mutilated, and decomposing. Her killers had made no attempt to disguise their savagery.
Esther’s abduction was not an isolated incident. Around the same time, other high-profile kidnappings occurred in and around Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Ubuluku, and other Delta communities. The most brazen of these came on April 6, when a medical doctor and his driver were kidnapped in Issele-Uku. They were held for 24 hours and released only after a hefty ₦15,000,000 ransom was paid.
The pattern was clear: organized, ruthless, and motivated by money. But in targeting Esther, the gang had crossed a line that spurred the authorities into action.
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The Delta State Police Commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda, issued a firm directive: dismantle the network, arrest the killers, and restore public confidence.
In response, a specialized unit — the CP Special Assignment Team — was mobilized. Led by ASP Julius Robinson, the team embarked on an intelligence-led investigation aimed at cracking the syndicate believed to be responsible for multiple kidnappings and murders in the region.
Working with informants and relying on phone tracking, surveillance, and community input, the team focused their attention on a man believed to be the mastermind: Abubakar Usman, alias Shehu. He was no stranger to law enforcement. Described by sources as a career criminal, Shehu had been operating under the radar for years, allegedly coordinating kidnappings across the Aniocha and Oshimili axis with chilling precision.
At around 10:00 p.m., police operatives cornered Shehu in a quiet neighborhood, acting on real-time intelligence. There was no gunfight — not yet. The operation was swift and surgical. Shehu was taken into custody alive.
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He admitted to leading the group that abducted Esther Ojoh. He confirmed that she was murdered shortly after her kidnapping — allegedly due to fears that she recognized one of the assailants. She had pleaded for her life, he confessed, but the order was given. She was executed in cold blood.
Shehu also revealed his role in the Issele-Uku medical doctor kidnapping and in the killing of Mr. Godwin Anuka, whose wife and daughter were taken after he was murdered in Ogwashi-Uku.
Acting on Shehu’s information, police operatives followed him the next day — April 11 at 11:00 a.m. — to a forest along the Asaba/Agbor Expressway, specifically between Okpanam and Issele-Asagba. The area, thick with undergrowth and devoid of civilian movement, was a known hideout for criminal gangs, but the terrain made it hard to access undetected.
According to the police, Shehu led them into the forest — allegedly to point out the exact camp where his gang was operating.
Suddenly, Shehu raised an alarm, alerting his accomplices who were hidden nearby. What followed was an intense and deadly exchange of gunfire.
The gang, lying in wait, opened fire on the approaching officers. A gun duel erupted, with bullets tearing through the trees, echoing across the forest like thunder. For over 20 minutes, the two sides exchanged fire.
When the dust settled, four suspects, including Shehu, had sustained severe gunshot wounds. They were rushed to Ogwuashi-Uku General Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
The police recovered three AK-47 rifles, ninety rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, and various items believed to belong to past victims.
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Following the operation, SP Bright Edafe, spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, issued a statement confirming the successful execution of the sting. He said their death marks the end of one of the most notorious kidnapping rings operating in Delta State. He emphasized that while the police regret any loss of life, criminals who take up arms against the state must face the consequences.
CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, in his own remarks, hailed the bravery of the operatives and reaffirmed the state command’s commitment to wiping out criminal gangs in all parts of Delta. He stated that they are sending a clear message: there is no hiding place for kidnappers and murderers in Delta State. The Commissioner declared that they would find them and bring justice.
In Ibusa and surrounding towns, the news of the gang’s death brought a mixture of relief, grief, and cautious optimism.
“She was full of life,” said her elder brother, Uche Ojoh, during a phone interview. “We are glad that those who did this to her will never hurt another soul again, but no justice can bring our Esther back.”
Local community leaders expressed gratitude to the police but urged for more proactive and preventative measures. One community elder in Issele-Asagba remarked that they should not have to wait for a young woman to die before the police take action and called for consistent patrols, intelligence work, and collaboration with locals.
Esther’s murder and the subsequent police operation highlight a growing problem in Delta State and much of southern Nigeria — the rising wave of ransom-driven abductions carried out by well-armed, highly mobile gangs. Often operating from dense forests and remote riverine areas, these criminals are becoming increasingly daring — targeting doctors, pastors, teachers, politicians, and even students.
While police successes like this one are commendable, many experts say they only scratch the surface.
Dr. Lawrence Okafor, a criminologist and lecturer at Delta State University, said the solution lies not only in firepower but in intelligence gathering, community policing, and socioeconomic intervention. He stated that kidnapping thrives where the state is weak and the people are desperate, and if poverty, unemployment, and corruption in institutions are not addressed, the cycle will continue.
In life, Esther Ojoh was a builder. In death, she became a catalyst for justice. Her murder shocked a state, galvanized a police force, and ultimately led to the dismantling of a deadly criminal network.
Her story — tragic as it is — serves as a reminder of what is at stake in the fight against insecurity: not just statistics, but real lives, real dreams, and real futures.
The end of Shehu’s gang may be a significant victory, but the war against kidnapping in Nigeria is far from over. As criminals adapt, so must the forces of law and order.
For the people of Delta, one thing is clear: the days of silence are over. With community support, intelligence sharing, and sustained political will, the tide can turn.
But for now, the memory of Esther Ojoh lingers — a painful, powerful call to action.
