In a sweeping series of operations across Delta State, law enforcement agencies have made significant breakthroughs in the fight against drug trafficking, armed robbery, and fraud, arresting over 80 suspects and recovering a cache of illicit substances, stolen vehicles, firearms, and electronics.
On August 29, 2025, operatives of the Ughelli Area Command raided suspected drug dens in Afisere/Ughelli town, targeting illicit drug activities threatening youth welfare.
Acting on credible intelligence, officers arrested 52-year-old Egbule Isioma, who operated a chemist’s store opposite Afisere Town Hall.
Three of her apprentices, Mercy John, Favour John, and Amarachi Ngozi, were also apprehended.
A search of Isioma’s residence at No. 31 Edile Street, Afisere, yielded a massive haul of controlled substances, including:
- 355 bottles of CSC Codeine
- 57 rolls of 50mg Tramadol
- 335 rolls of 100mg Tramadol
- 33 rolls of 200mg Super Royal
- 540 sachets of Swinol capsules
- 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis
- 7 packs of Backwoods
Investigators confirmed Isioma as a major distributor of illicit drugs in Ughelli and surrounding areas.
On August 24, 2025, police intercepted a suspect attempting to sell two stolen vehicles, a Lexus RX350 and a Mercedes-Benz GLK350, for ₦2 million each. The suspect, Igenebo John (35), was arrested at a hotel along Effurun-Sapele Road.
He led officers to two locations where the vehicles were recovered: the Mercedes-Benz at the hotel and the Lexus SUV at Edu Street, Off Jakpa Road, Uvwie LGA.
One of the victims, Nathaniel Ugbebe of Sapele, confirmed that his Lexus RX350 was stolen during a home invasion on August 17, where five armed men also transferred ₦1.9 million from his mobile banking app. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other gang members, including a suspect identified as Ameachi.
Between August 11 and 16, the CP-Special Assignment Team arrested eight suspected fraudsters operating across Delta and Edo states.
The syndicate allegedly hypnotised victims under the guise of seeking directions before robbing them of valuables and draining their bank accounts.
Arrested suspects include:
- Ibrukoko (32)
- Obruche Actor (31)
- Lucky Umukoro (28)
- Emmanuel Buruutu (22)
- Musa Abdulahi (27)
- Sokoh (30)
- Preye Julius (36)
- Kadija Abass (30)
Recovered items:
Two Toyota Camry vehicles (LND-809-HE, KSF-61-JU)
- 16 suspected stolen iPhones
- 42 lady motorcycles
The group is believed to have defrauded victims of over ₦23.5 million. Twelve victims have been identified so far.
Following multiple complaints about stolen ladders, Ekpan Police arrested Esquire Stanley on August 12. Stanley allegedly sold each ladder, worth ₦250,000, for just ₦20,000.
Three victims identified him, leading to the arrest of receivers: Chinedu Okorie, Orgi Abara, Philip Augustine, and Obone Jevweu. Eleven stolen ladders were recovered.
On August 5, Asaba Police recovered a stolen Mercedes-Benz GLK (Reg No: NZM10AP) from a dealer shop. The suspect, Chinedu Eze, claimed ownership, but investigations revealed the vehicle was snatched at gunpoint in April 2023 in Enugu State, during which the rightful owner was shot.
On August 4, a distress call led Ogwashi-Uku Police and local vigilantes to Chelsea Street, where two armed robbery suspects, Thywill Selvin (22) and Guntim Bako (32), were arrested.
Recovered items included:
One pump-action rifle
- One Beretta pistol
- Three assault rifle rounds
- Two motorcycles
- 25 mobile phones
- Four laptops
- One tablet
- One PS4 console
- Home theatre system
- Two Zealot music players
- Five bags of clothing and other valuables
Victims have begun identifying their stolen items.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the state remain a top priority.
