Matilda Omonaiye/
The Delta State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on violent crime with the arrest of eight suspected armed robbers, cultists and an alleged gunrunner in a series of intelligence-led operations that led to the recovery of four locally made firearms, live ammunition and other dangerous weapons across the state.
The coordinated operations, carried out in different parts of Delta State, also resulted in the recovery of four live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger, as police sustained pressure on criminal networks involved in armed robbery, cultism and illegal arms trafficking.
According to 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, identified as 29-year-old Stephen Danladi of Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State and 26-year-old Jude Christian of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, were allegedly found in possession of two locally made pistols during a search.
Police said preliminary interrogation of the suspects led detectives to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where Jerry Egenus of Atuma-Iga in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State was arrested for allegedly serving as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.
Investigators believe the suspects belong to a criminal syndicate linked to a string of armed robbery attacks in Okpanam, Asaba and neighbouring communities, particularly involving the theft of mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.
In another operation on July 12, operatives of the Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV marked GRA-168AM while on surveillance patrol.
A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun allegedly concealed by the driver, while one live cartridge was found inside the vehicle. Four occupants of the SUV were arrested on suspicion of cult-related activities, and investigations are ongoing.
Earlier, on July 10, police operatives attached to the Ogwashi-Uku Division responded to a distress call around the Polytechnic area, where they arrested a 24-year-old non-student suspected to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
Items recovered from the suspect included a locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger.
NewsmakersNG learnt that the suspect will remain in police custody as investigations continue.
Reacting to the operational successes, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven and proactive policing strategies aimed at dismantling criminal gangs, combating cultism and curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state.
He appealed to residents to continue supporting the police with timely, credible and actionable information, assuring them that the command would remain relentless in protecting lives and property throughout Delta State.
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