Two suspected church robbery syndicates were apprehended by operatives of the Orerokpe Divisional Police in Delta State, Nigeria. The suspects were arrested on November 19, 2023, following a series of church break-ins in the state, during which musical instruments were stolen. The arrests came after a break-in at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, “Dominion Mega,” where several musical instruments were stolen.
The police spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, revealed that the Divisional Police Officer Orerokpe Division, CSP Paul Obaware, led operatives to assess the crime scene based on a report lodged on November 17, 2023. Subsequently, an operation was planned and executed, leading to the arrest of one of the suspects, Patrick Emete, who had posted a stolen amplifier for sale on his Facebook page.
Following Emete’s confession, another suspect, Alex Uwagbafor, was arrested. The police recovered a significant number of stolen items, including loudspeakers, generator sets, mixers, keyboards, amplifiers, fans, musical instruments, electronics, and other items. The suspects are said to be notorious thieves specializing in burgling churches, shops, and homes.
The police noted that a clergyman reported another church burglary on November 30, 2023, and the suspects admitted to the crime. The operatives recovered additional stolen items from another location. The suspects are currently in custody, and efforts are ongoing to recover more stolen items. The State Commissioner of Police assured the public of the command’s commitment to reducing criminal activities during the festive season.