The Delta State Police Command reported that a suspected drug trafficker escaped arrest after abandoning a Toyota Sienna vehicle loaded with illicit drugs during a stop-and-search operation along the Ozoro/Oleh Expressway.
Details of the Incident
The vehicle, with registration number FST 242 YK, was intercepted by operatives of the Delta State Police Command’s Anti-Vice Squad at about 4:00 p.m. on June 16, 2026. According to police reports, the driver suddenly abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush while officers were conducting a routine search and questioning. Despite an immediate pursuit, the suspect managed to evade arrest.
A subsequent search of the abandoned vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs, including Codeine, Tramadol, Swinol, Man G, and Vega.
Related Arrests of Armed Robbery Suspects
In a related development, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS), Ughelli, in collaboration with members of the Ughelli Vigilante Group, arrested two suspected armed robbers linked to a series of robbery incidents in Ughelli and its environs. The arrests followed credible intelligence received on June 14, 2026.
Acting on the information, the team stormed the Okorodafe area of Ughelli at about 4:30 p.m. and arrested a 29-year-old suspect, Moses Francis. During preliminary interrogation, Francis reportedly confessed to participating in several robbery operations, including a robbery incident that occurred along Aro Street, Ughelli, in April 2026.
The suspect subsequently led operatives to a hideout in Ughelli, where another suspected gang member, 26-year-old Cosmos Erueseke, was arrested at about 5:40 p.m. on the same day.
The suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate and recover firearms and other exhibits allegedly used in their operations.
Police Commissioner's Statement
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the operatives for their professionalism and resilience and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, combating drug-related crimes, and ensuring the safety of residents across the state.
