The Delta State Police Command has arrested 202 suspected offenders during a coordinated raid on criminal hideouts, brothels and locations believed to be centres for illicit drug activities across Asaba metropolis.
The operation, which was carried out on Saturday, also resulted in the seizure of several vehicles found to be in violation of traffic regulations and state transport restrictions.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the exercise was driven by intelligence gathered by the command and executed under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations.
According to Edafe, the operation targeted locations identified through intelligence reports as being linked to criminal activities.
“Acting on credible intelligence generated by the State Intelligence Department (SID), the operatives raided identified black spots, brothels and suspected illicit drug dens in Asaba metropolis.”
He explained that the raid forms part of the command’s ongoing strategy to dismantle criminal networks and sustain pressure on suspected criminal elements operating within the state.
The police spokesperson disclosed that a total of 202 suspects were apprehended during the operation, including 102 men and 100 women.
The statement added: “The operation resulted in the arrest of 202 suspects, comprising 102 males and 100 females, for offences bordering on operating brothels, possession and sale of suspected illicit drugs, and other related crimes.
“The operatives also impounded five (5) motor vehicles, ten (10) tricycles, and ten (10) motorcycles for violations of extant traffic regulations, the state-imposed restriction on tricycle operations, and the ban on motorcycles in designated areas.”
The command said the vehicles were confiscated for breaching existing traffic laws as well as restrictions governing the operation of tricycles and motorcycles in designated parts of the state.
Reacting to the outcome of the exercise, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to intensify intelligence-led policing and maintain pressure on criminal groups across the state.
He reiterated “the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and sustained enforcement operations against all forms of criminality.”
The commissioner also assured residents that the command would continue its proactive operations to improve security and urged members of the public to support law enforcement efforts by providing useful information capable of preventing crime.
According to him, “the Command will continue to deny criminal elements the space to operate” while encouraging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police.
(Ripples)