By Eunice Emeyazia
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 and a dagger knife.
The Police said the arrests were part of its sustained crackdown on armed robbery, cultism, the proliferation of illegal firearms and other violent crimes in Delta State.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, operatives, acting on credible intelligence at about 5:00 a.m. on July 14, trailed a suspected armed robbery gang along the Asaba-Benin Expressway in collaboration with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult Group.
The operation led to the arrest of Stephen Danladi, 29, from Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State, and Jude Christian, 26, from Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. A search conducted on the suspects resulted in the recovery of two locally made pistols.
Police said further interrogation of the suspects led operatives to Issele-Asagba and Ogwashi-Uku, where Jerry Egenus of Atuma-Iga in Oshimili North Local Government Area was arrested for allegedly serving as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are members of a gang allegedly responsible for a series of armed robbery attacks in Okpanam, Asaba and surrounding communities, targeting mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.
In a separate operation on July 12, at about 4:30 p.m., operatives attached to Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number GRA-168AM during a surveillance patrol.
The four occupants were searched, leading to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun concealed on the driver and one live cartridge inside the vehicle. The suspects were immediately arrested, while investigations continue.
Similarly, on July 10, operatives of the Ogwashi-Uku Division responded to a distress call in the Polytechnic area, where they arrested a 24-year-old non-student suspected to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
Recovered from the suspect were one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife.
The police said all the suspects and recovered exhibits remain in custody as investigations continue.
Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led and proactive policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks, combating cultism and curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state.
He urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely, credible and actionable information, assuring them that the command would remain relentless in protecting lives and property throughout Delta State.
