The Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected armed robbers, cultists and a suspected gunrunner in separate operations across the state, recovering four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife.
The command said the arrests were part of its sustained offensive against armed robbery, cultism, illegal firearms and other violent crimes.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the police acting on credible intelligence arrested two suspected armed robbers, Stephen Danladi, from Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State, and Jude Christian, from Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The suspects were apprehended at about 5 a.m. on July 14, along the Asaba–Benin Expressway during a joint operation, involving police operatives and members of the civilian anti-cult group.
A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols.
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Edafe said further interrogation led officers to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where Jerry Egenus of Atuma-Iga, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested for allegedly serving as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are members of a gang linked to a series of armed robbery attacks in Okpanam, Asaba and surrounding communities, where they allegedly specialised in stealing mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.
In another operation carried out on July 12, operatives attached to the Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number GRA-168AM during surveillance patrol.
The four occupants of the vehicle were searched, leading to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun allegedly concealed by the driver, while one live cartridge was recovered from the vehicle.
All four suspects were arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
Similarly, police officers attached to the Ogwashi-Uku Division, arrested a 24-year-old suspected member of the Eiye Confraternity following a distress call near the Polytechnic area on July 10.
Items recovered from the suspect, includeda locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife.
The state Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, tackling cultism and curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state.
He urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, assuring them that the command would remain steadfast in its efforts to protect lives and property throughout Delta State.
