Delta Police Arrest Notorious Church Robbery Syndicate, Recover Cache of Weapons

Two suspects nabbed in Ogwashi-Uku with pump action gun, locally made firearms, and burglary tools after failed attack on Dominican City Church.

The men of Nigerian police officers, Delta State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its clampdown on armed robbery, with the arrest of two suspected members of a syndicate notorious for raiding churches and carting away instruments and valuables.

Police operatives from the Ogwashi-Uku Division, working alongside local vigilantes, foiled an attempted robbery at Dominican City Church along Polytechnic Road near Sticals Hotel on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Acting on a distress call, the patrol team, led by Divisional Police Officer CSP Israel Okomoyon, intercepted a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna van (registration number EFR-150-XB) with two male occupants.

The suspects were identified as:

Emmanuel Emiowor, 21, of PTI Road, Warri

Noah Philip, 20, of PTI Road, Warri

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of dangerous weapons and burglary tools including:

One pump action gun

Three single-barrel locally made guns

One locally fabricated revolver gun

One live cartridge

An iron rod believed to be used for breaking into churches

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to belonging to a gang that specialises in church break-ins. Police say some stolen items linked to earlier attacks have already been recovered.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the swift response of the operatives and vowed that Delta State would never serve as a safe haven for criminals. He urged residents to continue assisting the police with timely information by calling the Command’s emergency line 08036684974 or reporting suspicious activities to the nearest station.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, reaffirmed that the Command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and sustaining the gains made through intelligence-led policing.

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