Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Delta State Police Command raided three different syndicates of cultists and suspected armed robbers at various locations in Oghara Town, Ethiope East LGA of Delta State. The covert operation, conducted on July 18, 2024, at about 0930hrs, resulted in the effective arrest of five suspects.

The arrested suspects are Ochuko Joel Ofoye, 35, of Jedo Community in Okpe LGA, Delta State, a member of the Juris Confraternity; Michael Anwul, 29, of Alisimie Community, Agbor, in Ika South LGA, Delta State, also of the Juris Confraternity; Great Ojareri, 35, of Oghareki Community in Ethiope West LGA, Delta State, a member of the Eiye Confraternity; Innocent Esefeta, 31, of Efisere Community in Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, a resident of Ibori Road, Oghara; and Ogaga Ebuke, 27, of Okpe Community in Orerokpe LGA, Delta State, a resident of Western Delta Road, Oghara.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects included one Beretta pistol, two AK-47 magazines, one locally made cut-to-size gun, and twenty-nine rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The suspects are currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.

In another operation, on July 14, 2024, at about 1645hrs, acting on credible intelligence, the police arrested Abibu Haruna, 37, and Sanusi Haruna, 22, both residents of Hausa Quarters, Warri. They were found in possession of a bag containing 55 iPhones, one HP laptop, two Android tablets, and 33 Android phones. During further interrogation, the suspects confessed to having bought the items from two suspected armed robbers, Nasiru and Ghala (surnames unknown), who operate in Hausa Quarters, Warri. They disclosed that the items were usually transported to Niger Republic on trailers carrying scrap, sponsored by an individual named Agaji, resident in Niger Republic.

Further investigation revealed that some of the phones were stolen during an armed robbery attack on Niger Delta University students. A manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.

Similarly, on May 30, 2024, at about 1050hrs, the command received an intelligence report from a concerned resident in Agbarho about the hideout of some suspected kidnappers in the bush at Uwurghelli village near the rail tracks. Acting on this information, the DPO of Agbarho Division led police operatives to the bush, cordoned off the area, and conducted an intensive search. During the search, sack bags containing three AK-49 rifles, two AK-47 rifles, and 207 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered. A manhunt for the fleeing suspected kidnappers is underway.

On June 8, 2024, following an intelligence-led investigation by operatives on CP’s Special Assignment Team, a fabricated AK-47 revolver rifle was recovered. Building on this operation, on July 16, 2024, between 1300hrs and 1935hrs, the police arrested Tega Dierunaba, 44, of Ororokpe Community in Okpe LGA, Delta State, a resident of Enehren area of Warri; Chibiuke Anuforo Cosmas, 42, of Orlu Town in Nkwerre LGA, Imo State, a resident of Musheshe Cold-Room Industrial Area, Enehren Road, Warri; and Sunday Moses Pam, 36, of Von Community in Jos South LGA, Plateau State, a resident of Oka Closed Street, Enehren, Warri. These individuals were involved in the distribution and concealment of arms from Plateau State to Delta State.

All suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime, corroborating earlier confessions by Goodluck Sakutu, 38, of Ekpan Community, Uvwie LGA, Delta State, who was previously arrested with a fabricated AK-47 rifle.

Additionally, acting on credible intelligence regarding the kidnapping of a male victim (name withheld) in Adjakota area, Ughelli South LGA, Delta State, the operatives on special assignment cracked down on the syndicate responsible for the act. On July 1, 2024, at about 1200hrs, they arrested Ismaila Umaru, 28, of Kekura Village, Awe LGA, Nasarawa State, resident in Oghara town by Power Line, Delta State. 

On July 4, 2024, at about 2030hrs, Umaru led operatives to arrest two other gang members, Chede Mohammed, 18, a native of Nasarawa State, resident of Agwara in Ughelli South LGA, Delta State, and Mohammadu Sani, 26, a native of Banbiru area of Abuja, resident at Upper Agbarho Area of Ughelli North. Acting on their confession, at about 0530hrs on July 5, 2024, the operatives stormed the bush by Oviri-Ogor, where they encountered an attack from other gang members. One of the suspects hiding in the bush sustained serious gunshot injuries and later died in the hospital. One AK-49 rifle was recovered from the hideout. The investigation is ongoing.