Delta Police Arrest Two Suspected Armed Robbers, Recover Large Cache of Suspected Illicit Drugs

By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri.

The Delta State Police Command has recorded fresh breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against violent crime and illicit drug trafficking, leading to the arrest of two suspected armed robbers and the recovery of a substantial quantity of suspected illicit drugs in separate operations across the state.

The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, noting that the successes were achieved through intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the Command Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS).

According to the statement, operatives of the CAVS, working in collaboration with members of the Ughelli Vigilante Group, arrested two suspected armed robbers believed to be connected to a series of robbery incidents in Ughelli and surrounding communities.

The operation was conducted on June 14, 2026, following credible intelligence received by security operatives. Acting on the information, the team raided the Okorodafe area of Ughelli at about 4:30 p.m., where they arrested a 29-year-old suspect identified as Moses Francis.

Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several robbery operations, including a robbery attack that occurred along Aro Street in Ughelli in April 2026.

Following his arrest, Francis reportedly led investigators to a hideout within Ughelli, where another suspected gang member, 26-year-old Cosmos Erueseke, was apprehended later that day at about 5:40 p.m.

The suspects remain in police custody while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and recover firearms and other items allegedly used in their criminal activities.

In a separate operation on the same day, operatives deployed on stop-and-search duty along the Ozoro-Oleh Expressway intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number FST 242 YK at about 4:00 a.m.

Police said the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush during routine questioning and search procedures. Despite an immediate pursuit by the operatives, the suspect escaped.

A thorough search of the abandoned vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of substances suspected to be illicit drugs, including Codeine, Tramadol, Swinol, Man G, and Vega.

The recovered exhibits have been secured by the police, while investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspect.

Reacting to the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the officers involved for their professionalism, vigilance, and resilience in combating crime.

He reiterated the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, curbing drug-related offences, and ensuring the safety and security of residents across Delta State.

The police further urged members of the public to continue providing useful information that would assist law enforcement agencies in preventing and detecting crime throughout the state.