Delta Police Arrest Five, Recover Stolen Items Hidden in Scrapyard in Warri

The Delta State Police Command has revealed how some criminal elements allegedly used an undisclosed scrapyard to hide stolen items in Warri metropolis, Delta State, after its operations at Orerokpe, Ekpan, and Agbor led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of four locally made single-barrelled guns, three vehicles, three motorcycles, and a large cache of suspected stolen property.

State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe stated yesterday that the discovery followed the arrest of Lawrence Onowenakpo, aged 45 years.

According to the police, on 19th September 2026, a collaborative operation involving operatives of Orerokpe Division and members of the Civilian Anti-Cult group, Osubi, intercepted two Toyota Sienna vehicles carrying musical equipment under suspicious circumstances along Warri/Sapele Road.

“The occupants fled on sighting the police, but Lawrence Onowenakpo ‘m’, aged 45, was arrested. A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of three locally made single-barreled long guns and one live cartridge.

Recovered Hiace minibus

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly identified Ajeh Zephaniah (aka Fanta), who had previously been arrested and arraigned for armed robbery before being granted bail on health grounds, as the gang leader.

One of the suspects

“Further investigation led the joint team to a scrapyard in Warri suspected to be the gang’s operational base, where three motorcycles, twenty-two air-conditioning units, thirteen washing machines, twenty-nine motorcycle/tricycle engines, musical equipment, television sets, a generator, a laptop, and other suspected stolen items were recovered,” the statement reads.

He said that a preliminary investigation linked the gang to recent armed robberies within the Kwale and Warri axes, adding that efforts are ongoing to arrest Ajeh Zephaniah and other fleeing members of the gang.

Similarly, on 19th September 2026, operatives of Ekpan Division responding to a distress call concerning a man allegedly threatening persons around the Scrap Yard axis of Effurun/Sapele Road, arrested one Meshach Onovoisa aged 23 and recovered one locally made single-barreled gun from him.

Advertisement

The police image-maker said that during preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted that he is an armed robber. Investigation is ongoing.

In a related development, operatives of Agbor Division, acting on credible intelligence, have arrested Agbaja Promise, aged 20 years; Emmanuel Ovieh, aged 25 years; and Odiri Dama aged 25, all from Benin City, Edo State. They were arrested on September 19 while allegedly attempting to dispose of a Hiace minibus with registration number BEN-485-XH for ₦300,000 without producing its documents.

Edafe said that the vehicle was recovered, while its rightful owner was subsequently identified and contacted. Investigation is ongoing.

In his comment, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, commended the operatives and members of the public whose cooperation contributed to the successes recorded.

He reiterated the command’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks across the state and urged residents to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information.

Advertisement