A pre-dawn operation has led to the discovery of a concealed weapons stockpile along the Warri–Sapele corridor, as the Delta State Police Command intensified its crackdown on armed robbery and kidnapping networks.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, who said the breakthrough followed the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect, Dafiaga Timothy, handed over by the Ororokpe Division and subsequently interrogated by the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) led by ASP Julius Robinson.
Acting on intelligence extracted during interrogation, operatives at about 5:30 a.m. on February 19, 2026, were led to a concealed hideout along the Sapele–Warri Road axis near Adheje Community.
A search of the location yielded a locally made long gun, a cut-to-size firearm, and a fabricated Beretta-style pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition. Officers also recovered ten live cartridges and a dagger.
Police authorities said the recovery has significantly weakened the operational strength of the suspected criminal syndicate, believed to be responsible for attacks on commuters and residents along the busy Warri–Sapele Road. Investigation into the activities of the gang is ongoing.
In a separate operation on February 18 at about 5:00 a.m., operatives of the Warri Area Command intercepted a blue tricycle bearing Anambra registration number ABM 30 QC along the Agbarho/Warri Expressway.
During a lawful search, two occupants reportedly fled into a nearby bush, while the driver, identified as 25-year-old Aliyu Sabo of Hausa Quarters near DSC Roundabout, was arrested.
A locally fabricated cut-to-size pistol, one live cartridge, and one expended cartridge were recovered from the tricycle.
Also recovered were two mobile phones, a Zealot MP3 player, a face mask, and a black bag.
Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and determine possible links to other criminal activities.
Meanwhile, swift police response prevented what could have been a violent hostel robbery in Alihame Community, Agbor.
The Divisional Police Officer of Agbor Division, CSP Micheal Obekpa, led an anti-crime patrol team to Texas Lodge Hostel at about 4:00 a.m. following a distress call that armed hoodlums had invaded the premises.
On sighting the patrol team, the suspects reportedly fled into surrounding bushes.
A cordon-and-search operation led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol and an expended cartridge believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
Also recovered were three mobile phones — an iPhone XR, a Samsung device, and a Tecno touch-light phone — along with an earpod and a power bank. Preliminary investigation has commenced, with police intensifying efforts to track down the suspects.
Reacting to the operations, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, commended the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the Command’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks, mop up illegal firearms, and ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.
