By Austin Ogwuda
Churches in Delta State, South South, Nigeria can now heave a sigh of relief as men of the State Police Command have smashed the notorious syndicate which specialises in breaking into Churches and stealing musical instruments.
The gang leader and another member of the syndicate have been arrested, confessing to the crime.
The breakthrough was achieved following weeks of discrete intelligence gathering and surveillance.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Bright Edafe a Superintendent of Police (SP), broke the news in a press statement issued on Wednesday (today), titled, ‘ARREST OF SUSPECTED MOST WANTED ARMED ROBBERS WHO USUALLY ATTACKS CHURCHES, CART AWAY CHURCH INSTRUMENTS’.
The statement reads, “Following complaints received from concerned residents on the activities of a syndicate that attacks churches at night and cart away church instruments and other items, the Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda directed DPOs to embark on an intelligence-led investigation and ensure that these suspects are rounded up, arrested and brought to book.
“In compliance with the CP’s directives, on 16th September 2025, the Command received a distress call about an imminent armed attack on Dominican City Church along Polytechnic Road by Sticals Hotel.
“Responding swiftly, patrol teams from the Ogwashi-Uku Division, working closely with local vigilantes, led by the DPO, CSP Israel Okomoyon, intercepted a gold-coloured Toyota Sienna Space Van, Reg. no: EFR-150-XB, with two occupants identified as: Emmanuel Emiowor ‘m’ (21yrs) of PTI Road, Warri, and Noah Philip ‘m’ (20yrs) of PTI Road, Warri.
“A search of the suspects and the vehicle yielded the following exhibits: One (1) Pump Action Gun, Three (3) Single Barrel Locally Made Guns, One (1) Locally Fabricated Revolver Gun, One (1) Live Cartridge, One (1) Iron Rod (used in breaking church doors).
“Upon interrogation”, the statement went on, “the suspects confessed to being members of a syndicate that specialises in attacking churches.
“Some looted properties have already been recovered. Both suspects, along with the exhibits are in custody, and a discreet investigation has commenced, the statement added.
