The Delta State Police Command is turning up the heat on criminals in Ughelli and its environs. Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has assured residents that with the new Area Command fully deployed, crime and corruption in the axis will face a drastic decline.
On August 26, operatives in Ughelli moved swiftly after a resident was robbed by a five-man gang who carted away gadgets, phones, and a 65-inch television. The trail led to one Faith Perry, who had one of the stolen phones. She fingered her boyfriend, Kelly Otobure, from whose home police recovered the stolen TV, PlayStation 4, and phones.
Further interrogation led to the arrest of notorious gang leader Samson Ugbe a.k.a. Big Man, already on the Command’s wanted list, along with members Emmanuel Edam, Frank Aminu, Sampson Irorowo, and Yahaya Bashir. Two suspected stolen vehicles were also recovered. The gang has been linked to earlier robberies, including one at Niger Delta University, Oghara, and another where 180 bags of rice were stolen.
On August 25, police burst a criminal ring that specializes in snatching motorcycles at gunpoint. Suspects Henry Bernard (35), Justice Ayero (39), and Oho Ogbavwomera were tracked and arrested. Their confession led to the home of Oluwa Felix, where officers recovered a single-barrel gun, dagger, scissors, torchlights, hacksaws, masking tape, and other items suspected to be used in operations.
In a raid on August 29, police swooped on a suspected drug hideout in Afisere, Ughelli. Egbule Isioma (52), who operated a chemist store opposite the town hall, was arrested along with three female apprentices. The raid uncovered a massive stash of illicit substances, including 355 bottles of codeine, 392 rolls of tramadol capsules, 540 sachets of swinol, 33 rolls of “super royal” drugs, and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis. Investigators described her as a major dealer in Ughelli.
On August 24, police foiled an attempt to sell two stolen luxury SUVs: a Lexus RX350 and a Mercedes-Benz GLK350 for ₦2 million each. The prime suspect, Igenebo John (35), confessed and led operatives to recover the vehicles in Effurun and Uvwie. Investigations traced the vehicles to a violent robbery in Sapele, where the owner, Nathaniel Ugbebe, was dispossessed of cash, gadgets, and his Lexus RX350 after armed men stormed his home.
“These breakthroughs are proof that crime will find no safe haven in Ughelli,” the CP declared, praising his officers for their resilience and intelligence-driven policing.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to track down fleeing members of the gangs and their accomplices.