Police nab four suspects for armed robbery and cult activities

The police in Delta State have arrested four people for armed robbery and cultism during separate operations in the state.

This information was shared by the Command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe, on Tuesday in Asaba.

Mr Edafe, who is a superintendent of police, said that on 14 July, a team of police officers and members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group tracked a suspected armed robbery gang on the Asaba, Benin Expressway.

He stated that the suspects, Stephen Danladi, 29, and Jude Christian, 26, were arrested. “A search of the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols.

“Preliminary interrogation provided further leads, which took operatives to Issele-Asagba and Ogwashi-Uku. There, one Jerry Egenus from Atuma-Iga in Oshimili North Local Government Area was arrested for gun running and receiving stolen property,” Mr Edafe said.

He mentioned that investigations showed the suspects were linked to several armed robbery cases in Okpanam, Asaba, and nearby areas. “The suspects and recovered items are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing,” the spokesman added.

In the ongoing battle against cultism, Mr Edafe said operatives from the Ogwashi-Uku Police Division acted on a distress call in the polytechnic area. They arrested a suspected cult member, aged 24.

The statement noted that the “non-student suspected to be part of the Eiye confraternity was arrested on 10 July.

“From the suspect, police recovered one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge, and a dagger knife. The suspect and the recovered items are in police custody, while the investigation continues,” he reported.

Mr Edafe quoted Delta's Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, who reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led and proactive policing. This is aimed at breaking down criminal networks, fighting cultism, and reducing the spread of illegal firearms in the state.

Mr Oyeniyi encouraged residents to keep supporting the police with timely and reliable information. He assured that the police would do everything possible to protect lives and property across the state.