Delta: Police arrest 5 suspects, recover 4 guns, stolen vehicles

The Delta state Police command has arrested five suspected criminals and recovered four locally made single-barreled guns, three vehicles, three motorcycles and a large quantity of suspected stolen property in separate operations across the state.

The operations carried out also led to the recovery of one live cartridge and several items suspected to have been stolen from their owners.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, in  Orerokpe, said  operatives of the division, working with members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, Osubi, intercepted two Toyota Sienna vehicles conveying musical equipment along the Warri-Sapele Road.

SP Edafe said the occupants of the vehicles reportedly fled on sighting the police, but one of them, identified as 45-year-old Lawrence Onowenakpo, was arrested.

PPRO noted that a search of the vehicles led to the recovery of three locally made single-barreled long guns and one live cartridge.

He stated that preliminary interrogation of the suspect led investigators to Ajeh Zephaniah, also known as Fanta, who was identified as the alleged gang leader.

He said Zephaniah had previously been arrested and arraigned for armed robbery before being granted bail on health grounds.

Further investigation reportedly led the joint team to a scrap yard in Warri, which the police suspected was being used as the gang’s operational base.

“The operation resulted in the recovery of three motorcycles, 22 air-conditioning units, 13 washing machines, 29 motorcycle and tricycle engines, musical equipment, television sets, a generator, laptop and other items suspected to have been stolen,” he said.

Police Image maker said investigation had linked the gang to recent armed robbery incidents within the Kwale and Warri axes, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Zephaniah and other fleeing members of the group.