The Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected criminals, including an alleged gunrunner, suspected cultists and armed robbers, during separate intelligence-led operations across the state that also led to the recovery of four locally made firearms and ammunition.
The operations resulted in the recovery of four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife, with police linking some of the suspects to armed robbery, cult-related activities and the proliferation of illegal weapons.
The command disclosed that operatives, acting on credible intelligence on July 14, 2026, tracked a suspected armed robbery gang along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in a joint operation with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group.
The operation led to the arrest of Stephen Danladi, 29, from Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State, and Jude Christian, 26, from Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. Police said a search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols.
The police added that preliminary interrogation of the two suspects produced further intelligence, which led operatives to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where Jerry Egenus of Atuma-Iga, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested for his alleged involvement as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.
According to the command, preliminary findings indicate that the suspects are members of a gang allegedly responsible for a series of armed robberies in Okpanam, Asaba and neighbouring communities, targeting mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.
In a separate operation on July 12, operatives attached to the Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number GRA-168AM while on surveillance patrol.
During a search of the vehicle and its occupants, police recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun concealed on the driver and one live cartridge from the vehicle. The four occupants were subsequently arrested over suspected cult-related activities, while investigations continue.
Similarly, on July 10, operatives of the Ogwashi-Uku Division responded to a distress call around the Polytechnic area, leading to the arrest of a 24-year-old non-student suspected to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
Recovered from the suspect were one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife. Police said the suspect remains in custody alongside the recovered exhibits pending the conclusion of investigations.
Speaking on the operations on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said all the suspects and recovered exhibits remain in police custody as investigations continue to establish the full extent of their alleged criminal activities and identify other members of the criminal networks.
Reacting to the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led and proactive policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks, combating cultism and curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state.
He urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely, credible and actionable information, assuring them that the command would remain relentless in safeguarding lives and property throughout Delta State.