Delta Police Intensify Crackdown as Multiple Criminal Gangs Fall in Statewide Operations
Security activity in Delta State tightened overnight as the Police Command confirmed a string of coordinated operations that dismantled several criminal networks across the state, with arrests made and arms recovered in what officials described as a decisive push against armed gangs. Details emerged from a series of briefings issued by the New Media Office of the Governor, outlining how multiple teams moved across Asaba, Sapele, Oghara, Agbarho and Ughelli between 18 and 24 November, responding to distress calls, conducting raids, and tracking violent syndicates long linked to robberies and kidnappings. On 23 November, a distress call along the Asaba–Benin Expressway drew the Eagle Net Special Squad and the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service into a confrontation with a suspected robbery and kidnapping gang. After a short exchange of fire, officers arrested three individuals: Oghenemaro Martins, aged twenty five, Tarebi Miracle Ogbada, aged twenty two, and Okorie James Kalu, aged nineteen. Items recovered at the scene included an English made Beretta pistol, a locally made pistol, four live rounds of nine millimeter ammunition, and stolen valuables such as electronics, jewellery, and a game console believed to be linked to earlier robberies along the Okpanam–Asaba axis. The following day, 24 November, another specialized unit moved in on a suspected cult group operating around Sapele and Oghara. The CP Special Assignment Team, led by ASP Julius Robinson, arrested three individuals said to be members of the Aye Confraternity: Miracle Umukoro, aged fifty two, Mudiaga Ukavwe, aged thirty one, and Solomon Oghoro, aged thirty, who is popularly known as Spartan. Officers recovered a pump action gun, six live cartridges, a cutlass, and a Toyota Sienna van allegedly used for surveillance. Reports from earlier operations were also released. In Agbarho and Ughelli, coordinated raids targeted an armed robbery, murder, and rape syndicate. On 19 November, the CP Special Assignment Team stormed a hideout on the outskirts of Panama Layout, Ughelli. Four suspects believed to be involved in several violent crimes were neutralized during an exchange of fire. Recovered items included locally fabricated short and long guns, twenty three live cartridges, and two Lexus sport utility vehicles. On 18 November, police operatives in Agbarho arrested Victor Peculiar, aged nineteen, identified as a key suspect in an armed home invasion. A double barrelled short gun was recovered during the operation. Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda praised the officers for what he described as tactical precision and resilience under pressure. He reminded residents that the command maintains a strict stance against violent crime, urging communities to remain alert and to report any suspicious activity to nearby police stations or through the command’s control room on 08036684974.
| 2025-11-25 06:48:44