Delta Police Bust Armed Robbery Syndicate Linked to Church Robberies, Recover Stolen Equipment

By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri.

The Delta State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing war against armed robbery and burglary syndicates with the arrest of members of a notorious gang allegedly responsible for a series of robberies targeting churches, solar shops, and electronic stores in Warri and surrounding communities.

The Command disclosed that the syndicate was linked to multiple high-profile theft operations involving church musical equipment, solar installations, and other valuables worth millions of naira.

According to a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the operation stemmed from investigations into a reported armed robbery incident in Okuokoko Community, where four armed men, operating in a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number EFR-118 XB, stormed a solar equipment shop.

The hoodlums reportedly held a female sales representative at gunpoint, tied her with ropes, and carted away solar batteries, inverters, mobile phones, and other items valued at approximately ₦15 million.

Following the incident and several related complaints from churches and business owners within Warri and its environs, operatives of the Orerokpe Division launched an intelligence-driven operation aimed at dismantling the robbery syndicate.

The breakthrough came on April 26, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m., when the sales representative 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 area, leading to the arrest of 28-year-old Ajeh Zephaniah and 32-year-old Anthony Okoro, both residents of Osubi.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the robberies and identified other gang members, simply known as Elvis and Ochuko, who are currently on the run.

The suspects also allegedly named individuals believed to be receivers of the stolen items, 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. Police also executed search warrants at the suspects’ residences and business premises, where several suspected stolen items were recovered.

Recovered exhibits included solar batteries, inverters, charge controllers, solar panels, televisions, electrical cables, surveillance cameras, church musical equipment, and other valuables suspected to have been stolen from churches and businesses across Warri and Osubi.

Police authorities further disclosed that the syndicate was allegedly behind several church burglaries in the area, involving the theft of musical and solar equipment estimated at about ₦80 million.

Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing gang members and recover firearms allegedly used during the robberies.

He also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information to aid crime-fighting efforts across the state.