The Delta State Police Command says it has stepped up its crackdown on criminals, leading to the arrest of an ex-convict, suspected armed robbers, and a man caught with live ammunition in separate operations across the state.
Confirming the development in a statement on Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Abaniwonda Olufemi said the arrests were made by operatives of the Eagle-Net Special Squad through patrols and coordinated intelligence.
One of the incidents occurred on August 30 when a patrol team intercepted a Toyota Sienna along the Asaba–Ibusa Road.
The driver, 58-year-old Albert Opene from Ashaka, was discovered with 75 live cartridges concealed beneath the driver’s seat.
“Upon search of the vehicle, seventy-five rounds of live cartridges were recovered underneath the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
“Suspect was arrested, exhibit recovered, and investigation is ongoing,” the police said.
In another case, operatives acting on a distress call about a stolen motorcycle tracked down and arrested two suspects in Asaba.
One of them, 27-year-old Precious Okoro, had only recently been released from prison after serving two years for motorcycle theft.
“The said suspect is an ex-convict who was released from Ogwashi-Uku correctional facility on the 6th of August 2025 after completing his jail term of two years for a similar offence of stealing a motorcycle.
“The suspect went back to steal another motorcycle just five days after returning from prison,” the command stated.
Okoro’s accomplice, 18-year-old Buhari Deyegu, was also taken into custody, while the stolen motorcycle was recovered with assistance from members of the Nigeria Hunters Security Services.
The police further announced the arrest of a five-man robbery gang accused of multiple attacks in Ughelli and other parts of Delta.
The gang, led by Samson Ugbe, alias “Big Man,” allegedly dispossessed victims of valuables including a 65-inch television, laptops, a PlayStation 4 console, and several mobile phones.
“Interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of the gang leader, Samson Ugbe AKA ‘Big Man’, who has been on the command wanted list, alongside his gang members, Emmanuel Edam, Frank Aminu, Sampson Irorowo and Yahaya Bashir. Also recovered are two suspected stolen vehicles, which were stolen at Ozoro and Orerokpe, respectively,” the police said.
The command also linked the gang to previous high-profile robberies, including the looting of a warehouse where more than 180 bags of rice were stolen and an armed attack at Niger Delta University, Oghara, in 2024.
Olufemi assured that all suspects remain in custody and will be prosecuted upon completion of investigations. He further urged residents to continue sharing reliable information with the police to boost security efforts across the state.
