Delta Police Arrest Five Suspected Armed Robbers, Recover Stolen Church Musical Instruments and Guns in Warri

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested five suspected armed robbers and recovered stolen church musical instruments, three motorcycles, guns, and a large haul of suspected stolen property in the Warri area of the state, dealing a significant blow to a syndicate that had been targeting churches and businesses.

The breakthrough came on September 19, 2026, when a joint operation involving operatives of the Orokpe Division and members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, Osubi, intercepted two Toyota Sienna vehicles conveying musical equipment under suspicious circumstances along the Warri-Sapele Road. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the occupants of the vehicles fled on sighting the police, but one suspect, 45-year-old Lawrence Onowenakpo, was arrested.

A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of three locally made single-barrel long guns and one live cartridge. During preliminary interrogation, another suspect, identified as Ajeh Zephaniah, also known as Fanta, was arrested. Police said Zephaniah had previously been arrested and arraigned for armed robbery before being granted bail on health grounds and was identified as the gang leader.

Further investigation led the joint team to storm a scavenger camp in Warri suspected to be the syndicate's operational base. There, operatives recovered three motorcycles, 21 air-conditioning units, 13 washing machines, 29 motorcycle and tricycle engines, musical equipment, television sets, a generator, a laptop, and other suspected stolen items.

Police said investigation linked the gang to recent armed robberies within the Kwale and Warri areas. Efforts are ongoing to arrest Zephaniah and other fleeing members of the gang. In a similar development, operatives of the Agbor Division, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three suspects from Benin City, Edo State, while they allegedly attempted to dispose of a stolen Hijet mini bus for N300,000 without producing its documents. The vehicle was recovered and handed over to its owner. Investigation is ongoing.

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