Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have uncovered a suspected armed robbery gang’s armoury along the Sapele–Warri Road, recovering a cache of illegal firearms and ammunition in a series of coordinated anti-crime operations across the state.
The breakthrough, announced on Friday, followed the arrest and interrogation of a 25-year-old suspect, Dafiaga Timothy, from Effurun Community in Uvwie Local Government Area.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the suspect was handed over by the Ororokpe Divisional Police Officer and subsequently interrogated by operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.
Acting on intelligence obtained during questioning, police operatives were led to a concealed armoury located in the Adheje Community axis along the Sapele–Warri Road at about 5:30 a.m. on February 19, 2026.
A thorough search of the hideout yielded a locally made long gun, a cut-to-size firearm, and a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition. Officers also recovered 10 live cartridges and a dagger.
Police authorities said the seizure had significantly disrupted the operational capacity of the suspected criminal syndicate, believed to have been terrorising commuters and residents along the Warri–Sapele Road corridor.
Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
In a related operation on February 18, 2026, operatives of the Area Command, Warri, intercepted a blue tricycle during a routine visibility patrol along the Agbarho–Warri Expressway at about 5:00 a.m.
The tricycle, bearing registration number Anambra ABM 30 QC, was conveying three occupants when it was stopped and searched.
Two of the occupants fled into a nearby bush, while the driver, identified as 25-year-old Aliyu Sabo of Hausa Quarters by DSC Roundabout, was apprehended.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a locally cut-to-size pistol concealed inside the tricycle, along with one live cartridge and one expended cartridge.
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Officers also found two mobile phones, a Zealot MP3 player, a face mask and a black bag. The suspect remains in custody as efforts continue to track down his fleeing accomplices.
Elsewhere in Agbor, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Micheal Obekpa, led an anti-crime patrol team to Alihame Community at about 4:00 a.m. on February 18 following a distress call reporting that suspected hoodlums had invaded Texas Lodge Hostel.
Upon sighting the patrol team, the suspects fled into the surrounding bush. The area was cordoned off and combed, resulting in the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol and an expended cartridge believed to have been abandoned during the escape.
Police also recovered three mobile phones — an iPhone XR, a Samsung device and a Tecno touch-light phone — alongside an earpod and a power bank.
While no arrests were made in the Agbor incident, preliminary investigations have commenced, and police say they are intensifying efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, commended the operatives for what he described as vigilance and professionalism.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, mopping up illegal firearms and ensuring perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.
Residents along the affected corridors have repeatedly raised concerns over early-morning robberies and armed attacks in recent months.
Friday’s announcement may offer some reassurance, but police authorities are urging members of the public to remain security-conscious and provide timely, credible information to support ongoing operations.