Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested eight suspects over alleged armed robbery, cultism and illegal possession of firearms in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The operations led to the recovery of four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger, according to the police.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the arrests were part of the command’s ongoing efforts to tackle armed robbery, cultism, gunrunning and other violent crimes in Delta State.
Edafe said officers, working with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult Group, acted on credible intelligence and arrested two suspected armed robbers along the Asaba-Benin Expressway.
The suspects, identified as Stephen Danladi, 29, from Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State, and Jude Christian, 26, from Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, were allegedly found with two locally made pistols during a search.
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He added that further investigation led detectives to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where another suspect, Jerry Egenus, was arrested. Police alleged that he served as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property for a robbery gang operating in Okpanam, Asaba and neighbouring communities.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the gang specialised in stealing mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables. The suspects and recovered exhibits remain in police custody while investigations continue.
In another operation, operatives attached to the Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV during a surveillance patrol and arrested four suspected cultists. Officers recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun and one live cartridge during the operation.
Police also arrested another suspected cultist around the polytechnic area of Ogwashi-Uku following a distress call. A locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger were recovered from the suspect.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts to protect lives and property across the state.
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