THE Delta State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in the fight against crime, with 80 suspects arrested and 31 firearms recovered in August alone. Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Asaba, where he described the month as “hot for criminals” in the state.
“It is our mandate, as given to us by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, that all Deltans sleep with their two eyes closed,” Abaniwonda said. “Deltans can attest to the fact that, in recent times, the state has become very hot for criminals. I continue to assure all Deltans that the command under my watch will not relent in this mandate and will continue to go after criminally minded individuals.”
Among the highlights of the command’s achievements was the arrest of a 39-year-old suspected armed robber, Bassey Udoh, in Asaba. He was caught carrying an English Beretta pistol, which investigators revealed was purchased for ₦30,000.
In another operation, three armed robbery suspects—Igwe Ameachi, Chibuzor Ojiogwu, and Ekene Ibigweh—were arrested at Ubulu-Okiti, where police recovered a pump-action gun, two double-barrelled guns, and live cartridges.
The CP further revealed how police foiled a case involving an ex-convict, Precious Okoro, who returned to crime just five days after being released from prison. Okoro, 27, was arrested alongside an accomplice for stealing a motorcycle in Asaba.
The command also dismantled a five-man robbery gang led by the notorious suspect, Samson Ugbe, alias ‘Big Man’. Items recovered from the gang included a 65-inch television, mobile phones, laptops, and two stolen vehicles. “This syndicate had been on our wanted list for their involvement in robberies across Delta and even at the Niger Delta University, Oghara,” Olufemi stated.
In the fight against drug trafficking, police in Ughelli arrested a 52-year-old woman, Egbule Isioma, identified as a “major dealer in illicit drugs.” Raids on her chemist store and residence led to the recovery of large quantities of codeine, tramadol, cannabis, and other controlled substances.
Another major recovery involved two stolen vehicles, a Lexus RX350 and a Mercedes-Benz GLK350, which were about to be sold in Effurun. One of the victims, who had been robbed in Sapele, told investigators that the suspects transferred ₦1.9 million from his bank account through his mobile app.
The police also broke up a fraud syndicate that specialised in hypnotising unsuspecting victims. Eight suspects were arrested, and stolen items—including 16 iPhones and two Toyota Camry vehicles—were recovered. Preliminary findings revealed the group had defrauded their victims of more than ₦23.5 million.
Other cases included the recovery of 11 stolen ladders, the arrest of armed robbery suspects in Ogwashi-Uku with multiple weapons, and the retrieval of a Mercedes-Benz GLK stolen at gunpoint in Enugu.
Summarising the achievements, CP Olufemi said:
- 31 firearms were recovered.
- 86 rounds of ammunition and cartridges were seized.
- 50 laptops and mobile phones were retrieved.
- 80 suspects were arrested.
He urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies: “We encourage Deltans to report any suspicious persons or movements in their environment. Together, we will ensure that criminals have no hiding place in Delta State.”
The Commissioner of Police provided control room numbers for citizens to call in emergencies: 08036684974, 08114895600, and 08025666914.
