Men of the Delta State Police Command have arrested four suspected armed robbers and suspected drug peddlers in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The Spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, stated this in a statement on Sunday in Asaba.

The statement read, “On 1st October 2025, the DPO B Division Asaba, CSP Edewor Akponegware, led his surveillance team in a swift response to a distress report about a robbery incident around the BONSAAC axis of Asaba, where a female victim was robbed at gunpoint by two male suspects.

“Working with local vigilantes, the team arrested one suspect, Amara Nwako 21, while his accomplice fled into an uncompleted building. A locally made pistol was recovered during a search. Preliminary findings revealed a possible cult affiliation linking the suspect to a certain Arobaga secret cult. The suspect remains in custody while a manhunt is underway for the fleeing accomplice.

“On October 3, 2025, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), led by the Commander, CSP Nosa Alex, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout around the Basket Market area of Asaba.

“During the operation, three suspects, Rabbi Godwin, 25, Lucky Nanakumo 20, and David Igwe 19, were arrested. One fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered. The suspects remain in RRS custody as investigators intensify efforts to arrest additional gang members and recover more weapons.”

In another development, Edafe said that the command arrested a suspected drug peddler and recovered illicit drugs in Asaba, the state capital.

According to him, in a separate operation, a patrol team of Eagle Net Special Squad, Asaba, led by Commander, SP Danyaya Yunusa, working in synergy with the office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking, intercepted a truck with Reg. No. 3BGT 18LG driven by one Dennis Uruma, a 52-year-old man.

He said during a search, a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs was recovered, while the driver was arrested.

Edafe urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to share timely, credible information to help the Police serve the public better, assuring that the Command will continue to work with relevant agencies and community partners to dismantle criminal networks, recover weapons, and interrupt drug supply lines in the state.

These arrests come amid intensified security operations across the state, following a recent surge in armed robbery, cult-related violence, and drug trafficking activities, particularly within the Asaba, Warri, and Ughelli axes.

In recent months, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has repeatedly assured residents of the command’s commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements through intelligence-led raids, inter-agency collaboration, and increased community engagement.

The command’s anti-crime units, including the Rapid Response Squad, Eagle Net Special Squad, and Crack Surveillance Teams, have been actively deployed in hotspot areas to clamp down on cult groups, drug peddlers, and armed robbery gangs.

PUNCH Online, in previous weeks, have highlighted several coordinated police operations in Asaba, Sapele, Oleh, and Effurun, where suspects were arrested and various weapons, including locally made pistols and cartridges, were recovered.

The police have also attributed much of the criminal activity to cult rivalries and drug-induced violence, which continue to pose threats to peace and public safety in the state. (The PUNCH)