Delta police arrest eight suspects, recover illegal firearms in crackdown

The Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected criminals, including alleged armed robbers, a suspected gunrunner and cultists, in separate operations across the state.

The operations also led to the recovery of four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge, a dagger knife and other exhibits.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the first operation was carried out on July 14, 2026, at about 5:00 a.m, following credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected armed robbery gang.

The police said operatives, working alongside members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, tracked the suspects along the Asaba-Benin Expressway, leading 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 of the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols,” the statement said.

The statement added that information obtained during preliminary interrogation led officers to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where Jerry Egenus of Atuma-Iga, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested for his alleged role as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.

Police said preliminary investigation showed that the suspects are allegedly members of a gang linked to a series of armed robbery incidents in Okpanam, Asaba and neighbouring communities, particularly involving the theft of mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.

The suspects and the recovered exhibits are currently in police custody, while investigations continue.

In another operation on July 12, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m, operatives attached to the Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number GRA-168AM during a surveillance patrol.

The operatives searched the occupants and recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun concealed on the driver, as well as one live cartridge found inside the vehicle. The four suspects were arrested, while investigations are ongoing.

Similarly, on July 10, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m, operatives of the Ogwashi-Uku Division responded to a distress call in the Polytechnic area, where they arrested a 24-year-old non-student suspected to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

Recovered from the suspect were one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and one dagger knife.

Police said the suspect and the recovered exhibits remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reiterated the Command’s determination to sustain intelligence-driven and proactive policing across the state.

He said the Command would continue efforts aimed at dismantling criminal gangs, combating cult-related activities and curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms.

The police commissioner also appealed to residents to continue providing the police with timely, credible and actionable information, assuring them that the Command would remain committed to protecting lives and property across Delta State.

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