Dare Babalola
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested more than 270 suspects following a series of coordinated raids targeting criminal hideouts across parts of the state.
The operations, which focused on areas in Warri, Uvwie, Jeddo, and Ughelli, led to the recovery of various illicit substances from those apprehended.
Details of the raids were disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe.
According to the statement, the first operation was carried out on March 25, 2026, under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Olumuyiwa Adejobi. The team, comprising officers from the Buffalo Operational Team and other tactical units, stormed identified hotspots in Warri South, Uvwie, and Okpe Local Government Areas.
Police said the raids were driven by credible intelligence gathered by the State Intelligence Department and extended to Ugbrumu and Jeddo communities, where suspected criminal activities had been reported.
During the exercise, 59 suspects — 51 men and eight women — were arrested at various locations, including a bush bar described as notorious. Authorities noted that several of the raided hotels were allegedly being used as brothels and safe bases for criminal operations. Some individuals on the police watch list for cult-related activities were also among those apprehended.
Items recovered from the suspects included substances believed to be codeine, crack cocaine, “loud,” “colos,” and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
In a follow-up operation on March 26, 2026, Adejobi led another team comprising officers from the Crack Squad, Rapid Response Squad, and Buffalo Squad to raid suspected criminal hubs in Ughelli.
The exercise, also based on actionable intelligence, targeted locations linked to drug-related activities, including Epini Hotel along the Ughelli–Patani Expressway, Torsac Hotel, and Primaria Guest House.
The second raid resulted in the arrest of 213 additional suspects. Police said large quantities of substances suspected to be Canadian loud, CSC syrup, tramadol, swinol, and Indian hemp were seized.
Edafe added that many of the affected hotels were operating as brothels and providing cover for criminal elements.
All suspects, along with recovered exhibits, have been handed over to relevant police units, including the Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, the Rapid Response Squad, and the CP Special Assignment Team, for investigation and possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, assured that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
He reaffirmed the command’s resolve to sustain similar operations across the state, including in Sapele and surrounding areas, to dismantle criminal networks and improve public safety. Oyeniyi also called on residents to support law enforcement agencies with timely and reliable information.
