The Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected armed robbers, cultists and a suspected gunrunner in separate intelligence-led operations across the state, recovering four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge, a dagger knife and other exhibits.
The was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who said the operations formed part of the command’s sustained offensive against armed robbery, cultism, the proliferation of illegal firearms and other violent crimes.
Edafe disclosed that operatives, acting on credible intelligence at about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, trailed suspected members of an armed robbery gang along the Asaba–Benin Expressway and arrested Stephen Danladi, 29, from Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State, and Jude Christian, 26, from Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
He said a search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols.
According to him, “Preliminary interrogation of the suspects yielded further intelligence, which led operatives to Issele-Asagba, Ogwashi-Uku, where one Jerry Egenus of Atuma-Iga, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State, was arrested for his alleged involvement as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.”
The police spokesman added that preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were allegedly members of a gang linked to a series of armed robberies in Okpanam, Asaba and neighbouring communities, particularly involving the theft of mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.
In another operation on July 12, operatives of the Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV during surveillance patrol and arrested four suspected cultists after recovering a locally made cut-to-size gun concealed on the driver and one live cartridge from the vehicle.
Edafe said the suspects were taken into custody while investigations continued.
Similarly, on July 10, operatives of the Ogwashi-Uku Division responded to a distress call around the Polytechnic area, where they arrested a 24-year-old non-student suspected to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
Items recovered from the suspect included a locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife.
Commenting on the operations, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling violent crime through intelligence-driven policing.
He said, “The command will sustain intelligence-led and proactive policing operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, combating cultism and curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms across the State.”
The police commissioner urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.
He added, “Members of the public should continue supporting the Police with timely, credible and actionable information. The command will remain relentless in its efforts to safeguard lives and property throughout Delta State.”
