The Delta State Police Command has arrested members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate linked to a series of robberies targeting churches, solar shops and electronic stores in Warri and surrounding communities.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the breakthrough followed an investigation into an armed robbery incident at Okuokoko Community, where four armed men operating in a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number EFR-118 XB reportedly invaded a solar shop.
The suspects were said to have held a sales representative at gunpoint, tied her with rope and carted away solar batteries, inverters, phones and other equipment valued at about N15 million.
The police said operatives of the Orerokpe Division launched an intelligence-led operation following the incident and similar complaints from churches and business owners within Warri and Osubi.
The operation yielded results on April 26, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m., when the sales representative identified two of the suspects in Osubi.
Acting swiftly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Orerokpe Division mobilised operatives to the area, leading to the arrest of Ajeh Zephaniah, 28, and Anthony Okoro, 32, both residents of Osubi.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to the crimes and identified other gang members known simply as Elvis and Ochuko, who are currently at large.
The suspects also reportedly identified receivers of the stolen items, leading to the arrest of Arinze Ezisi of Okumagba Avenue, Warri, and Chinonso Valentine of Eboh Road, Warri.
Further investigation led to the recovery of the gold-coloured Toyota Sienna allegedly used for the operations.
Police searches conducted on the suspects’ residences and shops, based on duly executed search warrants, also resulted in the recovery of several items including solar batteries, inverters, charge controllers, solar panels, televisions, electrical wires, cameras and church musical equipment believed to have been stolen.
The Command disclosed that the gang was allegedly responsible for several church robberies within Warri and Osubi, where musical and solar equipment valued at about N80 million were stolen.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for the breakthrough and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest fleeing gang members and recover firearms used in the operations.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information.
