The Delta State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its intensified operations against violent crime, arresting suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists in separate raids across the state. The operations also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition and a vehicle allegedly used for criminal activities.
On November 23, operatives of the Eagle Net Special Squad, led by SP Danyaya Inusa, responded to a distress call at about 6:30 a.m. following reports of a robbery along the Asaba–Benin Expressway near the Dustbin/Mango Tree area. Working in collaboration with operatives of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service, headed by DSP Abu Joshua, the team was reportedly ambushed by the criminal gang, who opened fire on them.
The police stated that their operatives returned fire with precision and eventually overpowered the gang, prompting them to flee. A hot pursuit led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Oghenemaro Martins, aged 25; Tarebi Miracle Ogbada, aged 22; and Okorie James Kalu, aged 19.
According to the police, the suspects abandoned a black bag while fleeing. The bag was said to contain an English-made Beretta pistol, a locally made pistol, four live 9mm Beretta ammunition, a laptop, several mobile phones, a PlayStation 5 game console, necklaces and a laptop charger.
The Command revealed that these items matched descriptions earlier provided by victims who had been robbed at gunpoint around the Okpanam-Asaba axis, thereby linking the suspects to multiple armed robbery incidents currently under investigation. The suspects are in custody as investigations continue.
In a separate operation, the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, reportedly acted on credible intelligence regarding the activities of a violent cult group in Sapele and Oghara. The operation, conducted at about 5:30 a.m. on November 24, resulted in the arrest of three suspects identified as Miracle Umukoro, aged 52; Mudiaga Ukavwe, aged 31; and Solomon Oghoro, also known as Spartan, aged 30.
The police disclosed that the suspects confessed to being members of the Aye Confraternity. They were reportedly arrested with a pump-action gun, six live cartridges, a cutlass and a Toyota Sienna vehicle bearing registration number LSR 621 JW, which was allegedly used by the syndicate for surveillance and operational activities. All recovered items have been registered as exhibits as further investigations aim to identify other members of the cult network.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the operatives involved in the separate operations, describing their actions as courageous, resilient and tactically sound.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
The CP urged residents to remain alert and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or to the Command’s control room via 08036684974.