Controversies Trail Arrest of 213 Suspects as Delta Police, Activist Disagree Over Alleged Death of Suspect in Custody

Controversies are trailing the mass raid by operatives of the Delta State Police command led by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

This is as a human right activist, Israel Joe and the Delta State Police Command are currently in tango over alleged death of a suspect in police custody.

The police had on Friday night issued a press statement claiming no fewer than two hundred and thirteen suspects including prostitutes have been arrested by operatives of the command at various spots including brothels, allegedly harbouring prostitutes and serving as safe havens for criminal elements in Warri and Ughelli.

The operation carried out on March 25, 2026, by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was in conjunction with men drawn from the Buffalo Operational Team and other tactical units.

The operatives carried out targeted raids across Warri South, Uvwie, and Okpe Local Government Areas of Delta State.

The Delta Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Friday night, ‎said.that during the operation, a total of fifty-nine suspects comprising fifty-one males and eight females were arrested at identified criminal hideouts, including a notorious bush bar.

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He claimed that most of the hotels affected operate as brothels housing prostitutes and creating a safe haven for criminal elements while some suspected cultists who have been on the Command’s watch list were among those apprehended. Exhibits include substances suspected to be codeine, crack cocaine, “loud,” “colos,” and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered.

But reacting to the development, fire-brand Warri-based human right activist, Israel Joe vehemently disagreed with the police narration of the controversial raids, saying that one of the purporred innocent sick persons arrested has reportedly díęd in Ekpan police custody.

“I earlier reported when this innocent man arrested by Adejobi and his team was being rushed out of the ceII. It is now confirmed that the man has allegedly passed on”, Joe claimed.

He called on the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to wade into the issue before it snowball into a full blow protest in the state.

“This injustice can never be sustained under our watch. The governor will not say anything about this…until we shut down everywhere with protest. Na dat time dem go wan call my phone off”, he retorted.

He also called on the IGP to transfer Adejobi from the state to meet his match elsewhere, saying “You cannot come here to kíII Deltans”. Delta State Command, we cannot take this. The state quite only una wan boil am. Ok”

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In a spontaneous reaction, the police command in a statement by its spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, on Saturday, denied the alleged death of an unnamed suspect in Police custody at Ekpan Police Station, describing the allegation as “false, misleading, completely unfounded and an attempt to undermine the effort the command is putting to reduce crime in the state”.

“At no time did any suspect die in Police custody in Ekpan or any part of the state, as claimed”, he said.

Giving a graphic detail of the incident, Edafe said that the operation referenced was a coordinated raid on identified criminal hideouts carried out on 25th and 26th March 2026, under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

He disclosed that the operation resulted in the arrest of over 270 suspects across Ughelli and Warri, including suspected drug traffickers and wanted cultists. Large quantities of illicit drugs were also recovered during the exercise.

“All suspects arrested were duly screened. Those not found wanting or indicted were released, while others are currently in custody, in good condition. It’s important to reiterate again that “No casualty was recorded”

“The Command views the deliberate spread of such misinformation as reckless and capable of misleading the public, undermining confidence in law enforcement, and distracting ongoing efforts to rid the State of criminal elements.

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“While recognising the place of civil engagement, the Command will not tolerate individuals who operate under the guise of activism or blogging to peddle false and misleading narratives against the Police. Accordingly, the Command warns that any individual found publishing or circulating false information against the Police will be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law”, he added.