Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested 202 suspects, including 102 males and 100 females, during a major intelligence-led operation targeting brothels, suspected drug dens and other criminal hideouts in Asaba metropolis.
The operation, carried out on Saturday, also led to the impoundment of 25 vehicles comprising five cars, 10 tricycles and 10 motorcycles for various traffic and regulatory violations.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the raid was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in collaboration with other officers of the command.
According to Edafe, the operation followed credible intelligence generated by the State Intelligence Department (SID) on the activities of suspected criminals operating within the state capital.
“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 said.
He explained that the exercise formed part of the command’s ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and curb drug-related activities.
The police spokesman stated that the operation resulted in the arrest of 202 suspects for offences ranging from operating brothels to the possession and sale of suspected illicit drugs, as well as other related crimes.
“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,” Edafe said.
He added that the impounded vehicles were seized for violating traffic regulations, restrictions on tricycle operations and the ban on motorcycles in designated areas of the state.
“The operatives also impounded five motor vehicles, 10 tricycles and 10 motorcycles for violations of extant traffic regulations, the state-imposed restriction on tricycle operations, and the ban on motorcycles in designated areas,” he added.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations against criminal activities across the state.
Oyeniyi assured residents that the police would continue to intensify efforts to deny criminal elements safe havens within Delta State.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies with credible and timely information capable of aiding crime prevention and detection.
“The Command will continue to deny criminal elements the space to operate,” the police commissioner said, while calling for greater public cooperation in the fight against crime.
