Delta Police arrest 16 suspects, recover firearms, stolen car and illicit drugs

Crime Diary

ASABA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Delta State Police Command says it has arrested 16 suspects in separate operations across the state, recovering a pump-action gun, a locally made pistol, a stolen Toyota Camry and quantities of suspected illicit drugs.

The Command said the operations also led to the foiling of an alleged extortion attempt at a construction site and the arrest of suspects linked to suspected illicit drug activities.

According to a statement signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD, in Asaba on September 10, 2026, the operations were carried out on September 8.

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Police foil alleged extortion at construction site

The Command said operatives of the Okpanam Division responded to a report on September 8 that a group of persons had allegedly invaded a construction site, stopped workers, seized their working tools and demanded ₦700,000 before allowing work to continue.

The police said operatives mobilised to the scene and arrested one Collins Dunkun, 30, while six other suspects allegedly fled.

According to the statement, a search of the suspect led to the recovery of one locally made single-barrel pistol and one cartridge.

The Command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Five suspects arrested in suspected drug raid

In a separate operation, the Command said operatives of the Divisional Surveillance Team raided an uncompleted building at King Zanga, Ugbuegwai Community, Warri, following credible intelligence about suspected illicit drug activities at the location.

The operation, conducted on September 8, resulted in the arrest of five suspects identified as Rabi’u Salihu, 26; Salisu Suleiman, 23; Rabilu Ali, 24; Alhassan Mohd Mansur, 28; and Aliyu Abubakar, 25.

The police said quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, Codeine, Colorado, Rizla, SK and Canadian Loud were recovered during the operation.

The suspects are currently in police custody while investigation continues.

Police recover stolen Toyota Camry, arrest two

The Command also reported the recovery of a stolen Toyota Camry and the arrest of two suspects in Ekpan.

According to the police, the Ekpan Division received a report on September 8 concerning a brown Toyota Camry “Pencil Light”, with registration number BEN-572BT, which was allegedly stolen in Benin City on September 7.

The operatives subsequently commenced an intelligence-led investigation and traced the vehicle to the New Era area of Jakpa Road, Ekpan.

The police said officers proceeded to the location, sighted the vehicle and laid an ambush, leading to the arrest of Destiny Suleman, 41, and Samuel Ejiro, 21, as well as the recovery of the vehicle.

The two suspects are in custody while investigation into the incident continues.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, warned that cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, extortion, illicit drug activities and other criminal acts would not be tolerated in the state.

Erale assured residents that the Command would continue to take proactive measures to prevent crime, dismantle criminal networks and bring offenders to justice.