Delta Police Arrest Five, Recover Guns, Vehicles in Separate Operations

The Delta State Police Command says it arrested five suspects and recovered firearms, vehicles and a large quantity of property in separate operations carried out in Orerokpe, Ekpan and Agbor on September 19.

Police spokesperson Bright Edafe said the operations led to the recovery of four locally made single-barrelled guns, one live cartridge, three vehicles, three motorcycles and several items police described as suspected stolen property.

The recovered property included air-conditioners, washing machines, motorcycle and tricycle engines, musical equipment, television sets, a generator and a laptop.

The police accounts remain allegations and investigative claims.

The arrests do not establish that any of the suspects committed the offences under investigation.

Orerokpe operation

According to the command, officers from the Orerokpe Division, working with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group in Osubi, intercepted two Toyota Sienna vehicles carrying musical equipment along the Warri-Sapele Road.

Police said the occupants fled after seeing officers, but one man was arrested.

A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of three locally made single-barrelled guns and one live cartridge, according to the police statement.

The command said subsequent investigation led officers to a scrap yard in Warri, which police suspect was being used by a criminal group.

There, officers recovered motorcycles, air-conditioners, washing machines, engines, musical equipment, television sets, a generator, a laptop and other items described by police as suspected stolen property.

Police said preliminary investigation linked the group to recent robberies around the Kwale and Warri axes.

That remains a police allegation pending further investigation and any judicial process.

Separate arrest in Ekpan

In another operation, police said officers responded to a distress call around the Scrap Yard axis of the Effurun-Sapele Road.

The command said a 23-year-old man was arrested and a locally made single-barrelled gun recovered.

Police said the suspect allegedly admitted involvement in armed robbery during preliminary investigation.

Any such statement remains part of the investigation and does not amount to a court finding of guilt.

Three arrested in Agbor

Police also reported that officers from the Agbor Division arrested three men from Benin City, Edo State, after intelligence led them to a suspected attempt to dispose of a Hijet minibus.

The command said the vehicle was being offered for ₦300,000 without ownership documents.

Police said the minibus was recovered and that its rightful owner was identified and contacted.

That ownership claim is attributed to the police statement.

It should not be extended to the other recovered property unless ownership is separately established.

The circumstances of the suspects’ possession of the vehicle remain subject to investigation.

Investigation continues

Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale commended officers and members of the public who assisted the operations and said the command would continue intelligence-led efforts against criminal activity.

The next steps are whether investigators can establish ownership of the remaining recovered items, link individual suspects to particular offences and present sufficient evidence for prosecution.

Until then, the five people arrested remain suspects.

The recoveries may strengthen the police investigation, but they do not by themselves establish criminal responsibility.

Independent Digital News Network