The Delta State Police Command has arrested four out of a six-man gang of armed robbers who specialize in burgling warehouses, schools, and churches.
The gang was known for terrorizing Warri, Sapele, Oghara and other parts of Delta State and specialises in breaking into churches, companies, and warehouses while armed with guns.
The suspects, Okoro Udochukwu (male, 36 years old) of Ore II Community, and Sunday Dickson (male, 32 years old) of Ore II Community, were trailed to a hotel at Aziza Junction on Sapele Road, where they were arrested.
The suspects carried out their operations using two Sienna vehicles and one shuttle bus to transport the stolen items.
Preliminary investigations revealed that on May 26, 2024, they allegedly robbed a warehouse in Warri and stole 112 bags of rice, some of which they had already sold.
The suspects led the police to the arrest of Arinze Ezisi (male, 44 years old) and Titus Chinedu (male, 47 years old) of Okumaga community, who were identified as receivers of all the stolen properties.
According to SP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta command, following an armed robbery at Western Delta University, Oghara, on June 20, 2024, Commissioner of Police CP Abaniwonda Olufemi directed that the case be transferred to the DPO Ekpan Division, CSP Aliyu Shaba, for a discreet investigation.
“In compliance with the CP’s directive, the DPO swiftly embarked on an intelligence-led operation and on June 24, 2024, around 18:30 hours, trailed the suspects to the hotel.
“A diligent search was conducted at their stores and houses, which led to the recovery of 38 bags of rice, one Silver Crest blender, one inverter engine with two inverter batteries, three Sharp photocopying machines, and two Sharp standing AC units.
“Others recovered were five LG Home Theaters, one Hisense air conditioner, three intercom machines, one 50-inch black LG television, two shovels, one black Hisense speaker, eight yards of armored cable, six generators, five stabilizers, three Kenstar A/C units, two Hisense standing AC units and three Hisense inverter AC units.
“Also found were a peculiar professional mixer, three Kenstar standing AC units, one Panasonic AC, one pumping machine, five Sound Prinex, one Yamaha piano, five gas cylinders, twenty-one amplifiers, four guitars, four LG speakers, five microwaves, two MP3 players, one OX standing fan, three cushion chairs, one large Vitafoam mattress, and a large quantity of copper.”
Bright said efforts are on to arrest other members of the gang and recover their operational vehicle.