ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing offensive against armed robbery and burglary syndicates with the arrest of suspected members of a notorious gang allegedly responsible for a series of robberies targeting churches, solar equipment dealers and electronic shops across Warri, Osubi and neighbouring communities.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Asaba, revealing that the arrests followed coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the Orerokpe Division after several complaints from victims and business owners.
According to the statement, the investigation was triggered by a reported armed robbery incident in Okuokoko Community where four armed men operating in a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number EFR-118 XB allegedly stormed a solar shop, held a sales representative at gunpoint, tied her with rope and carted away solar batteries, inverters, mobile phones and other valuables estimated at about N15 million.
Police said the operatives immediately commenced investigations into the incident alongside other related robbery complaints involving churches and commercial outlets within the area.
The breakthrough was recorded on April 26, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. when the victim reportedly sighted and identified two of the suspects in Osubi.
Acting swiftly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Orerokpe Division mobilised operatives to the location, leading to the arrest of Ajeh Zephaniah, 28, and Anthony Okoro, 32, both residents of Osubi.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to participating in the robberies and identified two other gang members known simply as Elvis and Ochuko, who are currently on the run.
The suspects also reportedly identified some receivers of the stolen goods, leading to the arrest of Arinze Ezisi of Okumagba Avenue, Warri, and Chinonso Valentine of Eboh Road, Warri.
Further investigations led to the recovery of the gold-coloured Toyota Sienna allegedly used for the criminal operations, while police searches conducted on the suspects’ residences and shops based on duly executed search warrants resulted in the recovery of several suspected stolen items.
Items recovered by the police include solar batteries, inverters, charge controllers, solar panels, televisions, electrical wires, surveillance cameras, church musical instruments and other electronic equipment believed to have been stolen from victims.
Police investigations also linked the gang to multiple church robberies within Warri and Osubi, where musical and solar equipment valued at about N80 million were allegedly stolen.
Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, praised the officers for their professionalism and resilience in tracking down the suspects.
The Police Commissioner assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing gang members and recover the firearms allegedly used during the operations.
He also urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information that would aid the fight against crime and criminality across the state.
