Police nab eight for robbery, cult activities, and gun possession in Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested eight suspects for armed robbery, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms in various intelligence-led operations across the state.

These operations also led to the recovery of four locally made guns, four live cartridges, one spent cartridge, and a dagger knife.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, shared this in a statement on Tuesday. He said the arrests are part of ongoing efforts to combat armed robbery, cultism, gunrunning, and other violent crimes.

According to Edafe, police, working with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult Group, arrested two suspected armed robbers on the Asaba-Benin Expressway after receiving credible intelligence.

He stated, "On July 14, 2026, at about 5:00 a.m., acting on credible intelligence about a suspected armed robbery gang, operatives, along with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, mobilised and tracked the suspects on the Asaba, Benin Expressway.

This operation led to the arrest of Stephen Danladi (29) from Langtang LGA in Plateau State and Jude Christian (26) from Mbaitoli LGA in Imo State.

A search of the suspects uncovered two locally made pistols."

Edafe explained that information gained during the suspects’ questioning led detectives to Issele-Asagba in Ogwashi-Uku, where they arrested another suspect named Jerry Egenus.

The statement claims Egenus acted as a gunrunner and received stolen goods linked to a gang involved in robberies in Okpanam, Asaba, and nearby communities.

Investigations show this gang focused on stealing mobile phones, motorcycles, and other valuables.

The statement added, "Preliminary investigation further indicates that the suspects are allegedly part of a gang connected to several armed robberies in Okpanam, Asaba, and surrounding areas, particularly involving the theft of mobile phones, motorcycles, and other valuables.

The suspects and the recovered items are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing."

In another operation, Edafe noted that operatives from Oghara Division stopped a silver Lexus RX330 SUV during a surveillance patrol. They arrested four suspected cultists and recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun and one live cartridge during the operation.

He said the weapon was hidden on the driver, and the live cartridge was found in the vehicle.

Additionally, another suspected cultist was arrested in the polytechnic area of Ogwashi-Uku after a distress call.

He added, "From the suspect, we recovered one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one spent cartridge, and one dagger.

The suspect and the recovered items are now in police custody, while the investigation continues."

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Yemi Oyeniyi, commented on the operations. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to fighting violent crime through intelligence-led policing.

He encouraged residents to keep providing timely and reliable information to security agencies. He assured them that the command would keep working hard to protect lives and property across the state.