Operatives of the Orerokpe Division in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State have arrested two suspected armed robbers, Ajeh Zephaniah, 28, and Anthony Okoro, 32, alleged to be members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate linked to church robberies within Warri and its environs.
The operatives also arrested two suspected receivers of stolen items, Arinze Ezisi and Chinonso Valentine.
Two other suspects, identified simply as Elvis and Ochuko, reportedly fled the community where the arrest was effected on April 26, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m., DAILY POST can report.
The operatives also recovered from the suspects a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number EFR-118 XB, allegedly used for their operations.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the development in a statement sent to our correspondent in Warri.
The police image maker said: “The arrest followed an investigation into a reported armed robbery incident in Okuokoko Community by operatives of the Orerokpe Division, where four armed men operating in a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number EFR-118 XB invaded a solar shop, held a sales representative at gunpoint, tied her with rope, and carted away solar batteries, inverters, phones and other equipment valued at about N15 million.”
According to SP Edafe, “Acting on the report and other related complaints from churches and business owners, operatives launched an intelligence-led operation targeting the syndicate responsible for the series of robberies.
“The breakthrough came on April 26, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. when the sales representative identified two of the suspects in Osubi.”
He explained that: “Upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Orerokpe Division, immediately mobilised operatives to the scene, leading to the arrest of Ajeh Zephaniah, 28, and Anthony Okoro, 32, both residents of Osubi.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crimes and identified other gang members known simply as Elvis and Ochuko, who are currently at large.
“They also named some receivers of the stolen items, leading to the arrest of Arinze Ezisi of Okumagba Avenue, Warri, and Chinonso Valentine of Eboh Road, Warri.”
He added that: “Further investigation led to the recovery of the gold-coloured Toyota Sienna used for the operations, while searches conducted on the suspects’ residences and shops, based on duly executed search warrants, resulted in the recovery of solar batteries, inverters, charge controllers, solar panels, televisions, electrical wires, cameras, church musical equipment and other suspected stolen properties.”
SP Edafe noted that: “The suspects were also allegedly responsible for several church robberies within Warri and Osubi, where musical and solar equipment valued at about N80 million were stolen.”