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The Delta State Police Command has arrested members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate linked to a string of church, shop and business robberies in Warri and surrounding communities, recovering stolen equipment worth millions of naira.
Police said the gang specialized in attacking solar shops, electronic stores and churches, making away with valuable items such as solar batteries, inverters, musical equipment and electronics.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the breakthrough followed an investigation into a robbery incident in Okuokoko Community, where four armed men stormed a solar shop in a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number EFR-118 XB.
The suspects reportedly held a female sales representative at gunpoint, tied her with rope and carted away solar batteries, phones, inverters and other items valued at about ₦15 million.
Following the incident and other complaints from churches and business owners, operatives of OrerokpeDivision launched what police described as an intelligence-led operation to track down the syndicate.
The operation yielded results on April 26, 2026, when the victim reportedly spotted two of the suspects in Osubi and alerted the police. “Upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer OrerokpeDivision immediately mobilized operatives to the scene,” the statement said.
This led to the arrest of Ajeh Zephaniah, 28, and Anthony Okoro, 32, both residents of Osubi. During interrogation, police said the suspects confessed to the crimes and identified two other gang members known simply as Elvis and Ochuko, who are currently on the run.
The suspects also allegedly named persons who received stolen items, leading to the arrest of ArinzeEzisi of Okumagba Avenue, Warri, and ChinonsoValentine of Eboh Road, Warri. Further investigation led to the recovery of the gold-coloured Toyota Sienna allegedly used for the operations.
Police also executed search warrants at residences and shops linked to the suspects, recovering solar batteries, solar panels, inverters, televisions, charge controllers, cameras, church musical equipment, electrical wires and other suspected stolen properties. Investigators believe the gang was behind several church robberies in Warri and Osubi, where equipment valued at about ₦80 million was stolen.
Commending the officers involved, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, praised the operatives for the successful operation and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing gang members and recover the firearms allegedly used in the robberies.
The police chief also urged members of the public to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information.
