The Delta State Police Command has arrested 272 suspects during coordinated raids on suspected criminal hideouts and drug dens in Warri and Ughelli areas of the state.
The command said the operations were part of its sustained efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and clamp down on illicit drug activities.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, seen by Securitynewsalert.com, the raids were carried out based on credible intelligence gathered by the State Intelligence Department (SID).
He said that on March 25, 2026, operatives of the command led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and drawn from the Buffalo Operational Team and other tactical units, conducted targeted raids across Warri South, Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Areas.
“The operation, which was predicated on credible intelligence gathered by the State Intelligence Department, covered Ugbrumu and Jeddo communities,” the statement said.
During the operation, 59 suspects comprising 51 males and eight females were arrested at identified criminal hideouts, including a notorious bush bar.
Bright noted that many of the locations raided, particularly some hotels, were allegedly operating as brothels that sheltered prostitutes and provided safe havens for criminal elements.
“Some suspected cultists who had been on the command’s watch list were also among those apprehended,” he said.
He added that exhibits recovered during the raid included substances suspected to be codeine, crack cocaine, “loud,” “colos,” and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
In a related development, the police spokesperson said DCP Adejobi, on March 26, 2026, led another team of operatives drawn from the Crack Squad, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and Buffalo Squad on a separate raid of criminal locations in Ughelli town.
“The operation targeted locations notorious for drug-related activities, including Epini Hotel along the Ughelli–Patani Expressway, Torsac Hotel, and Primaria Guest House,” he said.
The operation led to the arrest of 213 suspects, while large quantities of substances suspected to be Canadian loud, CSC syrup, tramadol, swinol, and Indian hemp were recovered.
Bright stated that many of the hotels raided were discovered to be operating as brothels, harbouring prostitutes and serving as safe havens for criminal elements.
He said the suspects and exhibits had been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, as well as officers in charge of the Rapid Response Squad and the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) for investigation, profiling and possible prosecution.
“The Commissioner of Police assures members of the public that all suspects found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Bright said.
He added that the command remained committed to sustaining ongoing operations across the state, including Sapele and its environs, with a view to dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety.
