The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major string of operational successes in Asaba and its environs, following a series of intelligence-led raids and coordinated responses carried out by different tactical units of the Command. The operations, which took place between October 1 and 3, 2025, resulted in the arrest of suspected armed robbers, cultists, and drug traffickers, alongside the recovery of firearms and illicit substances.
The feat came through the concerted efforts of the Command’s ‘B’ Division, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and the Eagle Net Special Squad (ENSS), whose proactive actions underscored the Command’s renewed commitment to public safety under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda.
The first breakthrough came on October 1, when officers of the ‘B’ Division, Asaba, responded swiftly to a distress call from a female victim who had been robbed at gunpoint around the BONSAAC axis of the city. The victim, who was dispossessed of her phone and personal items, provided vital details that enabled police surveillance teams to launch an immediate pursuit.
According to police sources, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Edewor Akponegware, mobilized his men alongside local vigilantes, sealing off the area with a tactical cordon to prevent the suspects from escaping. Their careful sweep of the neighborhood yielded results when one suspect, later identified as 21-year-old Amara Nwako from Oko community, was intercepted.
The operation also led to the recovery of a locally made pistol believed to have been used in the robbery. Investigations revealed that the suspect may have affiliations with the Arobaga secret cult, a group notorious for violent activities in the state. Meanwhile, the suspect’s accomplice managed to flee into an uncompleted building, prompting a manhunt that remains ongoing.
Barely a day after the robbery arrest, the Command scored another victory through the Eagle Net Special Squad, led by SP Danyaya Yunusa. Acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking, the team intercepted a suspicious truck along a major route in Asaba.
The truck, with registration number 3BGT 18LG, was driven by a 52-year-old man, Dennis Uruma, from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State. Upon searching the vehicle, operatives uncovered large quantities of suspected illicit drugs concealed within the cargo. The driver was promptly arrested, and the vehicle was impounded as evidence.
Sources within the Command confirmed that the recovered drugs are undergoing counting and measurement, while investigations are ongoing to identify the origin and intended destination of the consignment. The interception is being described as one of the Command’s biggest anti-drug breakthroughs in recent months.
In yet another coordinated raid, on October 3, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), under the command of CSP Nosa Alex, stormed a notorious hideout around the Basket Market area of Asaba. The operation followed a credible intelligence tip that suspected cultists and armed robbers had regrouped at the location.
During the raid, three suspects—identified as 25-year-old Rabbi Godwin, 20-year-old Lucky Nanakumo, and 19-year-old David Igwe—were arrested after a brief standoff. A search of the premises led to the discovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, which was recovered as evidence. Police investigators believe the gang had been responsible for several armed attacks and robberies within the area.
The suspects are currently being held in RRS custody as detectives intensify efforts to arrest fleeing members of the syndicate and trace other weapons possibly linked to the gang. The latest arrests mark another success in the Command’s ongoing crackdown on criminal networks across Delta State.
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the operatives for their diligence and professionalism in executing the operations. He reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for violent crimes, cultism, armed robbery, and drug trafficking.
CP Abaniwonda urged residents of Delta State to remain vigilant and continue sharing credible information that could aid the Police in their operations. He emphasized that security is a collective responsibility, adding that community partnerships remain critical to sustaining peace and safety across the state.
The Commissioner also reassured the public that the Command would maintain its tempo of proactive policing, working closely with other security agencies and relevant government departments to dismantle criminal networks and disrupt the illicit drug supply chain.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, noted that the Command remains committed to upholding law and order through a balance of intelligence-led operations and community engagement. He urged citizens to report suspicious movements or activities promptly to the nearest police formation.
With these latest arrests and recoveries, the Delta State Police Command continues to strengthen its presence in Asaba, signaling a firm resolve to protect lives and property while keeping criminal elements on the defensive.
