Thursday, September 18, 2025 - The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of an armed robbery gang notorious for targeting churches across the state.
Police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, who confirmed the
development, said the suspects were apprehended on September 16, 2025,
following credible intelligence.
He explained that officers from the Ogwashi-Uku Division,
led by Divisional Police Officer CSP Israel Okomoyon, swiftly mobilised after
receiving a distress call and intercepted a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna Space
Van with registration number EFR-150-XB near Dominican City Church, along
Polytechnic Road by Sticals Hotel.
The vehicle, occupied by Emmanuel Emiowor, 21, and Noah
Philip, 20, both residents of PTI Road, Warri, was found to contain weapons and
burglary tools. Items recovered included one pump action gun, three
single-barrel locally made guns, one locally fabricated revolver, one live
cartridge, and an iron rod believed to have been used to force open church
doors.
Edafe disclosed that the suspects confessed to belonging to
a larger syndicate specialising in breaking into churches at night to steal
musical instruments and other valuables. He added that some stolen property had
already been recovered, while investigations were ongoing to track down other
members of the gang.
Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, who commended
the swift response of officers and the support of local vigilante groups,
ordered sustained intelligence-led operations to tackle rising criminal
activity.
He reaffirmed the command’s determination to eradicate crime
from the state, declaring: “We will not allow Delta State to become a safe
haven for criminals. Our men are on the ground, our strategies are working, and
we will continue to press forward until these criminal networks are completely
dismantled.”
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