The Delta State Police Command has announced a significant breakthrough in its fight against crime, successfully dismantling a hideout used by suspected kidnappers and armed robbers.
The operation, conducted by the CP Special Assignment team, targeted a group terrorizing residents in the Abraka, Obiaruku, and Umutu areas of the state. The raid yielded a substantial recovery of weapons and other incriminating evidence.
The operation was initiated following an intelligence-driven investigation stemming from the arrest of several suspected kidnappers on January 30, 2025. This initial arrest provided crucial leads that guided the police to the gang’s primary hideout. The CP Special Assignment team, under the leadership of ASP Julius Robinson, executed the raid on February 2, 2025, at approximately 4:35 PM.
The target of the raid was a house located in Evwokenren Layout, off Ughelli Road, Agbarho, in the Ughelli North Local Government Area. This residence belonged to the gang’s fleeing leader, identified only as Emeka. The police successfully breached the hideout and conducted a thorough search of the premises.
During the search, the police recovered a significant cache of weapons. This included a fabricated semi-automatic Beretta pistol with four rounds of live ammunition, four locally made cut-to-size guns, and thirteen rounds of live cartridges. In addition to the firearms, the police also discovered a pair of military uniforms concealed in a black polythene bag, raising further questions about the gang’s activities and potential connections
The police spokesman confirmed that one suspect is currently in custody, while a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the remaining members of the gang. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the gang’s operations and bring all those involved to justice. The recovery of the weapons and uniforms represents a significant blow to the gang’s capabilities and disrupts their ability to carry out further criminal activities.
In a separate incident on February 19, 2025, police operatives from Safer 025 of the Safer Highway Patrol arrested four suspects along the Agbor/Benin expressway. During a routine stop and search of a commercial vehicle, the officers discovered three locally made long guns and various charms in the possession of the suspects. The four men, claiming to be hunters from Zaria, Kaduna State, were taken into custody for further investigation.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating crime in the state. He emphasized that Delta State will remain a hostile environment for criminals and urged the public to continue providing valuable information to the police. He encouraged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact the Command Control Room using the provided phone numbers.
