The Delta Police Command has apprehended a nine-man robbery syndicate in the state.

The command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the suspects were arrested at different locations in the state between August 11 and 16.

He stated that the suspected hoodlums were apprehended by operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) following credible intelligence.

Mr Edafe said the suspects specialised in robbing and defrauding unsuspecting victims of valuables such as phones, motorcycles, jewellery, and even looting victims’ bank accounts.

He explained that the suspects usually posed as people seeking directions and would hypnotise their victims before extorting and defrauding them.

“The suspects operate in Warri, Ughelli, and other parts of Delta and Edo States,” he said.

Mr Edafe said the exhibits recovered from them included two Toyota Camrys and 16 suspected stolen iPhones.

The command’s spokesman said that a preliminary investigation revealed the suspects had defrauded their victims of a total of N23.5 million.

“Further investigation also revealed that the suspects had stolen 42 ladies’ motorcycles,” he said.

Mr Edafe added that the suspects and the recovered exhibits were in police custody, noting that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

(NAN)