Armed robbery suspects, gunrunner, cultist arrested in Delta crackdown

The Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected criminals, including alleged armed robbers, a suspected gunrunner and suspected cultists, during separate operations across the state.

The operations resulted in the recovery of four locally made firearms, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge, a dagger knife and other exhibits.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the first operation took place on July 14, 2026, at about 5:00 a.m., following intelligence on the activities of a suspected armed robbery gang.

According to the statement, police operatives, alongside members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, tracked the suspects along the Asaba-Benin Expressway and arrested Stephen Danladi, 29, from Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State, and Jude Christian, 26, from Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

“During a search of the suspects, two locally made pistols were recovered,” the statement said.

Edafe added that information obtained during preliminary interrogation led operatives to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where Jerry Egenus from Atuma-Iga, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested over alleged involvement as a gunrunner and receiver of stolen property.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly members of a gang linked to a series of armed robbery incidents in Okpanam, Asaba and surrounding communities, including the theft of mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.

The suspects and recovered exhibits remain in police custody as investigations continue.

In a separate operation on July 12, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m., operatives of the Oghara Division intercepted a silver Lexus RX330 SUV with registration number GRA-168AM during a surveillance patrol.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size gun concealed on the driver and one live cartridge found inside the vehicle. Four suspects were arrested, with investigations ongoing.

Similarly, on July 10, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m., operatives of the Ogwashi-Uku Division responded to a distress call in the Polytechnic area, where they arrested a 24-year-old non-student suspected to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

Police said one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a dagger knife were recovered from the suspect.

The suspect and recovered exhibits are currently in custody as investigations continue.

Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, said the Command would sustain intelligence-driven and proactive policing efforts across the state.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, tackling cult-related activities and curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms.

Oyeniyi also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that the police would remain focused on protecting lives and property across Delta State.