The police in Delta State has arrested four suspects over alleged armed robbery and cultism in separate operations across the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Command’s  Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Tuesday in Asaba.

Mr Edafe said that on July 14, a joint team of police operatives and members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group mobilised and trailed a suspected armed robbery gang on the Asaba–Benin Expressway.

He said that the suspects, Stephen Danladi, 29 and Jude Christian, 26, were subsequently arrested.

He stated, “A search of the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols. Preliminary interrogation yielded further intelligence, which led operatives to Issele-Asagba and Ogwashi-Uku, where one Jerry Egenus of Atuma-Iga, Oshimili North Local Government Area was arrested for alleged gun running and receiving stolen property.”

Mr Edafe added that investigations showed that the suspects were allegedly linked to a series of armed robbery incidents in Okpanam, Asaba and adjoining areas.

“The suspects and recovered exhibits are in custody and investigation is ongoing,” the command’s spokesman said

Mr Edafe also said that in a sustained fight against cultism, operatives of Ogwashi-Uku Police Division responded to a distress call at the polytechnic area, where a suspected cult member, 24, was arrested.

The statement said the “non-student suspected to be a member of the Eiye confraternity was arrested on July 10. Recovered from the suspect were one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one expended cartridge and one dagger knife. The suspect and the recovered exhibits are in police custody, while investigation is ongoing.”

The spokesperson quoted the state Commissioner of Police (CP) Yemi Oyeniyi, as reiterating the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led and proactive policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks, combating cultism and proliferation of illegal firearms in the state.

Mr Oyeniyi urged residents of the state to continue supporting the police with timely, credible and actionable information.

The CP assured that the command would ensure the protection of lives and property throughout the state. 

(NAN)