Police Arrest Eight Suspected Armed Robbers, Cultists In Delta

The Delta State Police Command says it has arrested eight suspected armed robbers, cultists and an alleged gunrunner in separate operations across the state, recovering four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, an expended cartridge and a dagger knife.

The command said the arrests were part of its ongoing crackdown on armed robbery, cultism and the proliferation of illegal firearms.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspected members of an armed robbery gang along the Asaba–Benin Expressway at about 5:00 a.m. on July 14.

The suspects were identified as Stephen Danladi, 29, from the Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State, and Jude Christian, 26, from the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Police said a search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols.

The statement added that information obtained during interrogation led officers to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where they arrested Jerry Egenus of Atuma-Iga in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Police alleged that Egenus served as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property for the gang.

Investigators said preliminary findings linked the suspects to a series of armed robbery attacks in Okpanam, Asaba and neighbouring communities, where mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables were allegedly stolen.

In a separate operation on July 12, police said its operatives attached to Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number GRA-168AM during a surveillance patrol.

According to the report, the four occupants were searched, leading to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun allegedly concealed by the driver and one live cartridge found inside the vehicle.

The suspects were arrested and are currently under investigation.

In another incident, police operatives attached to the Ogwashi-Uku Division reportedly responded to a distress call on July 10 and arrested a 24-year-old man in the Polytechnic area of Ogwashi-Uku.

The suspect, who police described as a non-student and a suspected member of the Eiye Confraternity, was allegedly found in possession of a locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife.

The police said all suspects and recovered exhibits remain in custody while investigations continue.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations against criminal gangs, cult groups and illegal firearms.

He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.