Segun Atanda/
The police in Delta have arrested members of a notorious armed robbery gang allegedly responsible for a string of robberies targeting churches, solar shops and electronic stores in Warri and neighbouring communities.
The police told NewsmakersNG that the suspects specialised in stealing solar equipment, church musical instruments and other electronic items during coordinated armed attacks across Warri, Osubi and surrounding areas.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, the breakthrough followed investigations into a robbery incident in Okuokoko Community, where four armed men driving a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number EFR-118 XB stormed a solar shop, held a female sales representative at gunpoint, tied her with rope and carted away solar batteries, inverters, phones and other items worth about ₦15 million.
The statement said operatives of Orerokpe Division subsequently launched an intelligence-driven operation after receiving similar complaints from churches and business owners within the axis.
Police authorities said the operation yielded results on April 26, 2026, when the sales representative reportedly sighted two of the suspects in Osubi and alerted the police.
Acting swiftly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Orerokpe Division mobilised officers to the area, leading to the arrest of 28-year-old Ajeh Zephaniah and 32-year-old Anthony Okoro, both residents of Osubi.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to the crimes and identified two other gang members, simply identified as Elvis and Ochuko, who are currently on the run.
The suspects also reportedly named alleged receivers of the stolen goods, leading to the arrest of Arinze Ezisi of Okumagba Avenue, Warri, and Chinonso Valentine of Eboh Road, Warri.
Further investigations led to the recovery of the gold-coloured Toyota Sienna allegedly used for the robbery operations.
Police also executed search warrants on the suspects’ residences and shops, recovering several items believed to have been stolen during previous operations. The recovered items include solar batteries, inverters, charge controllers, solar panels, televisions, electrical wires, cameras and church musical equipment.
According to the Command, the syndicate was allegedly linked to multiple church robberies in Warri and Osubi, where musical and solar equipment valued at about ₦80 million were stolen.
The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for the successful operation and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover the firearms used by the gang.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information capable of aiding crime-fighting efforts across the state.
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