Delta Police Arrest Syndicate Linked To Church, Solar Shop Robberies, Revocer Multi-million Naira Stolen Properties

The Delta State Police Command has arrested members of a suspected armed robbery syndicate allegedly linked to a series of church, solar shop and electronics store robberies in Warri and surrounding communities of the State.

Police said the suspects specialised in robbing solar shops, electronic stores and churches, carting away equipment worth millions of naira during their operations.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, SP Bright Edafe, the arrest followed an investigation into a reported armed robbery incident in Okuokoko Community handled by operatives of the Orerokpe Division.

SP Edafe said four armed men operating in a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number EFR-118 XB allegedly invaded a solar shop, held a sales representative at gunpoint, tied her with rope and stole solar batteries, inverters, phones and other equipment valued at about N15 million.

The police spokesperson said the command subsequently launched an intelligence-led operation after receiving several complaints from churches and business owners linked to the same gang.

“The breakthrough came on April 26, 2026, at about 0900hrs when the sales representative identified two of the suspects in Osubi. 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,” the statement said.

SP Edafe disclosed that the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation and identified other gang members simply known as Elvis and Ochuko, who are currently at large.

He added that the suspects also identified some receivers of the stolen items, leading to the arrest of Arinze Ezisi of Okumagba Avenue, Warri, and Chinonso Valentine of Eboh Road, Warri.

According to the police, further investigation led to the recovery of the gold-coloured Toyota Sienna allegedly used for the operations.

The command said searches carried out on the suspects’ residences and shops based on duly executed search warrants led to the recovery of solar batteries, inverters, charge controllers, solar panels, televisions, electrical wires, cameras, church musical equipment and other suspected stolen properties.

Police also alleged that the syndicate was responsible for several church robberies in Warri and Osubi, where musical and solar equipment valued at about N80 million were stolen.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for the breakthrough and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing gang members and recover the firearms allegedly used in the operations.

“He urged residents to continue supporting the Police with credible and timely information,” SP Edafe stated.