The Delta State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against crime, arresting 80 suspects and recovering 31 firearms, 86 rounds of ammunition, 50 mobile phones and laptops, stolen vehicles, and other exhibits in August 2025 alone.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, psc, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday, said the command has sustained aggressive crackdowns on criminal gangs across the state.
“It is our mandate as given to us by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetoku, Ph.D, NPM, that all Deltans sleep with their two eyes closed.
“Deltans can attest to the fact that in recent times, the state has become very hot for criminals. We will not relent in going after criminally minded individuals and ensuring they face justice,” CP Abaniwonda declared.
The CP revealed that on August 21, operatives of the CP-Decoy Squad stormed a hideout at Ubulu-Okiti, arresting three suspected robbers from Imo State and recovering a pump-action gun, two double-barreled guns, and live cartridges.
According to him, in another major breakthrough on August 26, police operatives cracked a five-man armed robbery gang that terrorized Agbarho/Otor axis. “Items recovered included a 65-inch television, PS4, laptops, mobile phones, and two stolen vehicles.
”The gang leader, identified as Samson Ugbe a.k.a. ‘Big Man’, who had long been on the command’s wanted list, was among those nabbed.
“This arrest is significant because it dismantles one of the most notorious gangs in the state,” CP Abaniwonda told reporters.
The CP disclosed that from routine stop-and-search operations to intelligence-led raids, police seized alarming quantities of weapons.
According to him, on August 16, a suspected robber, Bassey Udoh, was caught with an English Beretta pistol.
”On August 18, a raid in Onicha-Ugbo community led to the recovery of one pump-action gun and three single-barreled guns.
”On August 30, a Toyota Sienna driver, Albert Opene, was arrested with 75 rounds of live cartridges hidden beneath his seat,” he stated.
The CP noted that such recoveries underscore the command’s resolve to “disarm criminal elements before they unleash terror.”
He added,”In what shocked many, the police rearrested 27-year-old Precious Okoro, an ex-convict freed on August 6, who within five days went back to stealing motorcycles.
”Fraudsters were also rounded up between August 11 and 16. The syndicate specialized in hypnotizing victims, stealing their phones, motorcycles, and bank funds.
”The suspects, numbering eight, had defrauded victims of over ₦23.5 million, carted away more than 40 motorcycles, and stolen 16 iPhones.”
The CP also stated that on August 29, operatives raided a chemist shop in Afisere, Ughelli, run by 52-year-old Egbule Isioma, a suspected drug baroness.
He stated that the haul included:, 355 bottles of CSC Codeine, 392 rolls of Tramadol capsules (50mg, 100mg & 200mg), 540 sachets of Swinol capsules, and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis.
According to CP Abaniwonda, Isioma is a “major supplier of illicit drugs in Ughelli and environs.”
”In a bizarre twist, police also recovered 11 stolen ladders from a syndicate that hired equipment from unsuspecting owners and sold them off for ₦20,000 each—far below the market value of ₦250,000.
”Stolen exotic cars were also tracked and recovered, including a Mercedes Benz GLK snatched in Enugu, a Lexus RX350, and another GLK350 Jeep stolen in Sapele,” he revealed.
Summing up the command’s August operations, CP Abaniwonda listed: 31 firearms recovered, 86 rounds of ammunition, 50 laptops and mobile phones, and 80 suspects arrested.
He urged Deltans to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements through dedicated control room numbers.
“We are winning this war because the people are with us. Together, we will make Delta State unsafe for criminals and safe for law-abiding citizens,” the CP stressed.
Delta Police Smash Criminal Gangs, Recover 31 Firearms, 50 Phones In August Onslaught
