Delta police arrest five suspected robbers, recover guns and ammunition

Police operatives have arrested five suspected armed robbers in separate operations in Delta State, recovering two firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other items, including six mobile phones and a laptop.

The arrests were made in Ujode community, Ughelli North Local Government Area, and Alisimen community in Ika South LGA, according to the Delta State Police Command.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the operations in a statement, saying they followed intelligence reports about suspected criminal activities in the affected communities.

In the first operation, operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team raided Ujode community on October 16 and arrested a 29-year-old suspect, Thankgod Ejakpomewhe.

Edafe said the operation targeted a suspected armed robbery syndicate allegedly terrorising residents of the community.

A locally made long gun and a live cartridge were recovered from the suspect, while other suspected members of the group reportedly fled.

The police said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them into custody.

In a separate operation on October 15, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Ubuluku, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Alisimen community, Ika South LGA.

The operation led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Okwunzuwa Rubben, 28; John Onyeka, 42; Uzoma Ifeyinwa, 20; and Osas Atoe, 22.

According to Edafe, the operatives recovered a double-barrelled pump-action gun, a laptop, six mobile phones, a camouflage cap and a jacket during the raid.

A further search of the suspects’ residence led to the recovery of five rounds of live ammunition, bringing the total number of recovered cartridges reported in the two operations to six.

The command said investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests and determine the suspects’ alleged involvement in criminal activities.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Samuel Erale, commended the operatives for their efforts and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and curbing the illegal circulation of firearms.

He urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support crime prevention and the arrest of suspected offenders.