Police operatives in Delta State have arrested more than 270 suspects following a series of coordinated raids targeting criminal hideouts and black spots across Warri, Uvwie, Jeddo, and Ughelli communities.
The operations, described as intelligence-driven, led to the recovery of various illicit drugs from those apprehended as part of ongoing efforts to curb crime and drug-related activities in the state.
Details of the raids were contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, and made available to journalists in Warri.
According to the statement, “on March 25, 2026, operatives of the Command led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and drawn from the Buffalo Operational Team and other tactical units, carried out targeted raids across Warri South, Uvwie, and Okpe Local Government Areas of Delta State.”
It further explained that “The operation, which was predicated on credible intelligence gathered by the State Intelligence Department (SID), covered Ugbrumu and Jeddo communities.”
During the first phase of the operation, 59 suspects—51 men and eight women—were arrested at various locations identified as criminal hideouts, including a well-known bush bar.
The statement noted that “Notably, most of the hotels affected operate as brothels housing prostitutes and creating a safe haven for criminal elements, while some suspected cultists who have been on the Command’s watch list were among those apprehended.
“Exhibits recovered include substances suspected to be codeine, crack cocaine, ‘loud,’ ‘colos,’ and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.”
In a separate but related operation conducted on March 26, 2026, DCP Adejobi led another team comprising officers from the Crack Squad, Rapid Response Squad, and Buffalo Squad to raid criminal hotspots within Ughelli.
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The operation, also based on actionable intelligence from the SID, focused on areas linked to drug activities, including Epini Hotel along the Ughelli–Patani Expressway, Torsac Hotel, and Primaria Guest House.
“The raid resulted in the arrest of 213 suspects,” Edafe stated.
The PPRO added, “It is noteworthy that many of the hotels raided were found to be operating as brothels, harbouring prostitutes and serving as safe havens for criminal elements.
“Recovered exhibits include large quantities of substances suspected to be Canadian loud, CSC syrup, tramadol, swinol, and Indian hemp.
“The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, as well as the officers in charge of the Rapid Response Squad and the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) for coordinated investigation, profiling, and possible prosecution.”
Reacting to the development, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, assured residents that “all suspects found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
He reaffirmed the Command’s “unwavering commitment” to sustaining ongoing operations across the state, including Sapele and surrounding areas, to dismantle criminal networks and improve public safety.
The police boss also called on residents to continue providing credible and timely information to support crime prevention and law enforcement efforts.