The Delta State Police Command has announced a significant victory in its fight against crime, confirming the arrest of 80 suspects in a series of targeted operations throughout August 2025.
The month-long crackdown led to the dismantling of several notorious armed robbery syndicates, the recovery of 31 firearms, and the retrieval of numerous stolen vehicles, electronics, and a large cache of illicit drugs.
In a statement released by the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, the command detailed multiple successful operations that have enhanced security across the state.
One of the most significant breakthroughs was the arrest of a five-man armed robbery gang led by Samson Ugbe, also known as ‘Big Man’, a suspect long on the command’s wanted list. The investigation began after a robbery in Agbarho on August 26. An intelligence-led trail led operatives to Faith Perry, who was found with a victim’s stolen phone. She implicated her boyfriend, Kelly Otobure, from whom a 65-inch television, a PlayStation 4, and other stolen items were recovered. Otobure’s confession led to the capture of Ugbe and his entire crew. The gang is also allegedly linked to a 2024 robbery at Niger Delta University and the theft of over 180 bags of rice from a warehouse. Two suspected stolen vehicles were also recovered.
In another major bust, operatives apprehended a nine-person syndicate of fraudsters who specialized in hypnotizing their victims before robbing them. The group, which operated in Warri, Ughelli, and parts of Edo State, allegedly defrauded twelve victims of over N23.5 million. Two Toyota Camry vehicles and sixteen stolen iPhones were recovered from the suspects.
The command also highlighted the arrest of an ex-convict who returned to crime just five days after his release from prison. Precious Okoro, 27, was arrested on August 11 for stealing a motorcycle, the same offense for which he had just completed a two-year jail term at the Ogwashi-Uku correctional facility.
Routine police patrols also yielded significant results. On August 16, Rapid Response Squad operatives arrested Bassey Udoh, 39, during a stop and search on DBS Road, Asaba, and found an English Beretta pistol in his bag. On August 30, a patrol team discovered 75 rounds of live cartridges hidden under the driver’s seat of a Toyota Sienna driven by 58-year-old Albert Opene.
The crackdown extended to the fight against illicit drugs. On August 29, a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Ughelli led to the arrest of an alleged drug baron, Egbule Isioma, 52, who operated a chemist store. A search of her home uncovered a massive quantity of controlled substances, including 355 bottles of codeine, hundreds of rolls of tramadol, and liquid cannabis.
Summarising the month’s achievements, the Command reported the recovery of: 31 Firearms, 86 rounds of ammunition and cartridges and 50 laptops and mobile phones.
CP Olufemi thanked the public for their cooperation and urged citizens to remain vigilant. “Deltans are urged to report any suspicious persons or movement within their environment, either by reporting at the nearest Police station or by calling any of the following control room numbers,” the statement concluded.
The public can reach the Delta State Police Command at 08036684974, 08114895600, or 08025666914. Investigations into all cases are ongoing.
