ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has announced significant breakthroughs in its fight against crime, with the arrest of 80 suspects and the recovery of 31 firearms, 86 rounds of ammunition, and over 50 stolen laptops and mobile phones in the month of August 2025.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Asaba, stressing that the command remains committed to the mandate of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetoku, Ph.D, NPM, to ensure that residents of Delta State sleep with both eyes closed.
“Deltans can attest to the fact that in recent times, the state has become very hot for criminals. I assure all residents that the command under my watch will not relent in this mandate. We will continue to go after criminally minded individuals and ensure they are arrested and brought to justice,” Olufemi said.
Among the major achievements, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad intercepted a suspected armed robber, Bassey Udoh, along DBS Road, Asaba, and recovered an English Beretta pistol from his possession. Preliminary investigations revealed that he belonged to a syndicate that specializes in breaking into homes.
In a separate operation, the CP-Decoy Squad arrested three suspected armed robbers at Ubulu-Okiti community, recovering one pump-action gun, two double-barreled guns, and cartridges. Similarly, operatives of the Eagle-Net Special Squad intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle along Asaba–Ibusa road and discovered 75 live cartridges hidden beneath the driver’s seat.
The command also apprehended an ex-convict, Precious Okoro, barely five days after he was released from prison. Okoro, alongside an accomplice, was arrested for stealing a motorcycle in Asaba, even as investigations linked him to previous cases of motorcycle theft.
At Ughelli, intelligence-led policing resulted in the arrest of a notorious robbery gang led by one Samson Ugbe, also known as “Big Man,” who had been on the command’s wanted list. The gang was linked to multiple armed robberies, including a warehouse raid where over 180 bags of rice were stolen. Recovered items included stolen electronics, two vehicles, and other valuables.
In another breakthrough, operatives in Ughelli arrested a suspected drug baron, Egbule Isioma, and her accomplices. A search of her residence led to the recovery of large quantities of controlled drugs, including 355 bottles of codeine, tramadol capsules, and Canadian liquid cannabis. Police described her as a major supplier of illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
The CP further disclosed that intelligence-led operations foiled attempts by suspects to sell stolen vehicles, including a Lexus RX350 SUV and a Mercedes-Benz GLK350 Jeep, both traced to armed robbery cases in Sapele and Enugu.
Also noteworthy was the arrest of a syndicate of fraudsters operating across Delta and Edo states, who specialized in hypnotizing victims before robbing and defrauding them. Recovered items included two vehicles, 16 iPhones, motorcycles, and jewelry. Police investigations revealed that the group had defrauded unsuspecting victims of over ₦23.5 million.
Other cases recorded during the period include the recovery of 11 stolen ladders sold at below-market prices, the retrieval of a Mercedes-Benz GLK stolen at gunpoint in Enugu, and the arrest of two suspected armed robbers in Ogwashi-Uku, where weapons and stolen valuables were recovered.
The CP emphasized that the command will sustain its proactive approach, urging members of the public to continue to provide useful information to aid the fight against crime.
“The cooperation of the public is vital. We encourage residents to report any suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest police station or through our control room numbers,” Olufemi added.
With the series of arrests and recoveries, security experts say the command’s August scorecard reflects renewed momentum in tackling violent crimes, armed robbery, and illicit drug trade across the state.
