Press statements forwarded by Delta Police Public Relation officer SP Bright Edafe on September 22nd ,2026 to Insight Global News report that:
The Delta State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in separate operations at Orerokpe, Ekpan and Agbor, leading to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of four locally made single-barrelled guns, three vehicles, three motorcycles and a large cache of suspected stolen property.
1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER, AMD RECOVERY OF THREE LOCALLY MADE SINGLE-BARRELLED LONG GUNS, AND SUSPECTED STOLEN CHURCH EQUIPMENTS
On 19th September 2026, a collaborative operation involving operatives of Orerokpe Division and members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, Osubi, led to the interception of two Toyota Sienna vehicles conveying musical equipment under suspicious circumstances along Warri/Sapele Road. The occupants fled on sighting the Police, but Lawrence Onowenakpo ‘m’, aged 45 years, was arrested. A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of three locally made single-barrelled long guns and one live cartridge.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly identified Ajeh Zephaniah (aka Fanta), who had previously been arrested and arraigned for armed robbery before being granted bail on health grounds, as the gang leader. Further investigation led the joint team to a scrap yard in Warri suspected to be the gang’s operational base, where three motorcycles, twenty-two air-conditioning units, thirteen washing machines, twenty-nine motorcycle/tricycle engines, musical equipment, television sets, a generator, laptop and other suspected stolen items were recovered.
Preliminary investigation links the gang to recent armed robberies within the Kwale and Warri axes. Efforts are ongoing to arrest Ajeh Zephaniah and other fleeing members of the gang.
2. ARREST OF ONE SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER, ANS RECOVERY OF ONE LOCALLY MADE SINGLE-BARRELLED GUN
On 19th September 2026, at about 1840hrs, operatives of Ekpan Division responded to a distress call concerning a man allegedly threatening persons around the Scrap Yard axis of Effurun/Sapele Road. The operatives arrested one Meshach Onovoisa ‘m’, aged 23 years, and recovered one locally made single-barrelled gun from him. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted that he is an armed robber. Investigation is ongoing.
3. ARREST OF THREE SUSPECTS, RECOVERY OF SUSPECTED STOLEN VEHICLE
On 19th September 2026, operatives of Agbor Division, acting on credible intelligence, arrested Agbaja Promise ‘m’, aged 20 years; Emmanuel Ovieh ‘m’, aged 25 years; and Odiri Dama ‘m’, aged 25 years, all from Benin City, Edo State, while they allegedly attempted to dispose of a Hijet mini bus with registration number BEN-485-XH for ₦300,000 without producing its documents. The vehicle was recovered, while its rightful owner was subsequently identified and contacted. Investigation is ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, commended the operatives and members of the public whose cooperation contributed to the successes. He reiterated the command’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks across the State and urged residents to continue supporting the Police with credible and timely information.
