The Delta State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on violent crimes with the arrest of eight suspected armed robbers, gunrunners and cultists in separate operations across the state.
The police also recovered four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge, a dagger knife and other incriminating exhibits during the operations.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the breakthroughs were recorded through intelligence-led operations targeted at dismantling criminal networks involved in armed robbery, cultism and illegal firearms trafficking.
According to him, on July 14, 2026, operatives, working with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult Group, acted on credible intelligence and trailed a suspected armed robbery gang along the Asaba-Benin Expressway.
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 led to the recovery of two locally made pistols.
Further interrogation of the suspects led police operatives to Issele-Azagba in Delta State, where Jerry Egenus was arrested for allegedly acting as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects are believed to be members of a robbery syndicate linked to a series of attacks in Okpanam, Asaba and neighbouring communities, where victims were dispossessed of mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.
Edafe said the suspects and recovered exhibits remain in police custody while investigations continue.
In another operation on July 12, operatives attached to the Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number GRA-168AM during a surveillance patrol.
The four occupants of the vehicle were searched, leading to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun concealed on the driver, while one live cartridge was also found inside the vehicle.
All four suspects were arrested and are assisting police with investigations.
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.
Police recovered one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife from the suspect.
The suspect and the exhibits are in police custody as investigations continue.
Reacting to the successes, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-driven policing aimed at dismantling criminal gangs, curbing cultism and checking the spread of illegal firearms across Delta State.
He appealed to residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring them that the command remains committed to protecting lives and property.
