Delta Police Arrest Over 270 Suspects in Warri, Ughelli Raids as Activists Accuse Officers of Rights Abuses

Delta Police Arrest Over 270 Suspects in Warri, Ughelli Raids as Activists Accuse Officers of Rights Abuses

The Delta State Police Command has arrested more than 270 suspects and seized large quantities of illicit drugs in a series of coordinated raids across Warri, Uvwie, Jeddo, and Ughelli. The operations, which the police described as intelligence‑driven, have sparked strong reactions from civil rights activists who allege widespread human rights violations.

Police spokesman SP Bright Edafe said the raids targeted identified black spots and criminal hideouts.

According to him, on 25 March 2026, operatives led by DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stormed several locations across Warri South, Uvwie, and Okpe LGAs, including Ugbrumu and Jeddo communities. “Fifty‑nine suspects, including 51 males and 8 females, were arrested,” Edafe said. “Recovered substances included codeine, crack cocaine, ‘loud,’ ‘colos,’ and Indian hemp.”

He added that several hotels raided during the operation were allegedly operating as brothels and hideouts for criminal elements and suspected cultists.

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A second operation on 26 March 2026 in Ughelli, targeting Epini Hotel, Torsac Hotel, Primaria Guest House, and other locations notorious for drug‑related activities, resulted in 213 arrests. Items recovered included Canadian loud, CSC syrup, tramadol, swinol, and Indian hemp.

All suspects and exhibits have been transferred to relevant police units for investigation and possible prosecution.

Nigerian-Police-Force

Activist Raises Alarm Over Alleged Rights Violations

The raids have triggered outrage among some Delta‑based activists, including rights advocate Isreal Joe, who accused DCP Adejobi of indiscriminate arrests and abuse of power.

In a strongly worded Facebook post, Joe called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene:

“The Inspector General of Police should call Olumuyiwa Adejobi to order. He has started abusing the rights of Deltans and it will never happen under my watch.”

He alleged that many of those arrested were innocent young people. “You cannot just start raiding innocent people across the state… This state will not contain your Gestapo method,” he wrote.

Joe claimed that tension was already rising in parts of the state, including Ekpan, where residents reportedly protested the arrest of more than 100 people. He also alleged that a sick 21‑year‑old girl was being detained in Ughelli “for nothing.”

He urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene “before another #EndAdejobi starts in Delta State.”

CCTV Footage Emerges

Sources also confirmed that CCTV footage from some of the targeted locations captured parts of the police operation. The video, obtained by journalists, reportedly shows officers entering premises and conducting mass arrests, though the police have not yet commented on the footage.

Police Maintain Stance

Delta Police Arrest, the Commissioner of Police reiterated that all culpable individuals would be prosecuted and urged residents to provide credible information to support crime‑fighting efforts.

As investigations continue, the controversy surrounding the raids is expected to intensify, with activists demanding transparency and the police insisting that the operations were necessary to curb rising drug‑related crime in the state.