…Recover N23.5m, Stolen Cars, Motorcycles
THE Delta State Police Command has arrested a syndicate of suspected robbers and fraudsters who allegedly specialised in defrauding unsuspecting victims and looting their valuables, including phones, motorcycles, jewellery, and cash.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, the arrests were made by operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team following credible intelligence between August 11th and 16th, 2025.
“The suspects usually pretend to be seeking directions before hypnotising their victims. Once the victims are subdued, they are dispossessed of their phones, motorcycles, jewellery, and sometimes forced to part with their bank details,” Edafe explained.
The suspects, identified as Ibrukoko, 32, of Ovu community, Ethiope East Local Government Area; Obruche Actor, 31, of Emede community, Isoko South Local Government Area; Lucky Umukoro, 28, of Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area; Emmanuel Buruutu, 22, of Agbarho community, Burutu Local Government Area; Musa Abdulahi, 27, of Kafanchan, Kaduna State; Sokoh, 30, of Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area; Preye Julius, 36; and Kadija Abass, 30, of Gidama community, Ilela Local Government Area, Sokoto State, allegedly operated across Warri, Ughelli, and parts of Edo State.
Items recovered include two Toyota Camry vehicles with registration numbers LND-809-HE and KSF-61-JU, as well as sixteen suspected stolen iPhones. Preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate had defrauded victims of over ₦23.5 million, stolen forty-two lady bikes, and defrauded at least twelve individuals.
“The suspects and exhibits are currently in custody,” Edafe confirmed, adding that investigations are still ongoing. In a separate case, operatives attached to the Ekpan Division arrested one Esquire Stanley over allegations of serial theft of ladders.
SP Edafe said, “The suspect had been posing as a customer, hiring ladders and never returning them. Upon interrogation, he confessed to selling each ladder for ₦20,000, even though they are worth about ₦250,000 each.”
Further investigations led to the arrest of four alleged receivers of the stolen ladders, identified as Chinedu Okorie, Orgi Abara, Philip Augustine, and Obone Jevweu. A total of eleven stolen ladders were recovered, while ten suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
