Rita Enemuru, Reporting
ASABA — The Delta State Police Command has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks across the region, arresting eight suspects and recovering a cache of illegal firearms in a series of intelligence-led operations spanning several days.
In the most significant breakthrough, officers acting on tip-offs about a suspected armed robbery gang, alongside members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, intercepted three individuals along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in the early hours of Tuesday.
Stephen Danladi, 29, from Langtang Local Government Area in Plateau State, and Jude Christian, 26, from Mbaitoli LGA in Imo State, were taken into custody at approximately 5am. A search of the pair yielded two locally manufactured pistols.
The investigation took a dramatic turn when questioning of the suspects led detectives to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where Jerry Egenus, of Atuma-Iga in Oshimili North LGA, was arrested on suspicion of operating as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.
Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, said in a statement that the trio are believed to be part of a gang responsible for a string of armed robberies in Okpanam, Asaba and surrounding areas, with mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables among their primary targets.
Patrol Intercepts Cult Suspects
In a separate operation on Sunday, Oghara Division officers on surveillance patrol stopped a silver Lexus RX330 SUV bearing registration number GRA-168AM around 4.30pm. A search of the vehicle and its four occupants uncovered one locally made cut-to-size gun, which had been concealed on the driver, along with a live cartridge.
All four occupants were arrested and remain in custody as investigations continue.
Distress Call Leads To Arrest
Earlier, on Friday 10th July at approximately 2pm, officers from Ogwashi-Uku Division responded to a distress call in the Polytechnic area, where they detained a 24-year-old non-student believed to be affiliated with the notorious Eiye Confraternity.
Recovered from the suspect were one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife.
Command Reaffirms Commitment
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has praised the operational successes, reaffirming the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led and proactive policing operations across the state.
The Commissioner has urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to officers, assuring residents that the command “will remain relentless in its efforts to safeguard lives and property throughout Delta State.”
All suspects and recovered exhibits are in police custody, with investigations continuing across all three cases.
