Rita Enemuru, Reporting
DELTA State police have delivered a significant blow to the region’s underworld, arresting 22 suspects and rescuing two minors following a high-stakes intelligence-led raid on drug hotspots in Ozoro and Abraka.
The operation, which took place on Tuesday at about 3:00 PM, saw the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) personally lead officers into the heart of the criminal hubs.
Targets included the Ofagbe Community in Ozoro and the Ekrejeta and NUT areas of Abraka.
The crackdown resulted in the detention of 19 males and three females on suspicion of peddling and possessing illicit substances.
However, the most alarming discovery came when operatives stumbled upon a suspected drug den allegedly operated by a father who had his two young children living in the squalid environment.
The minors were immediately placed into protective custody and are slated for transfer to the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs for safeguarding.
Reacting to the development, Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, expressed his disgust at the exploitation of children in such settings.
”Using minors in environments associated with illicit drug activities is deeply disturbing,” CP Oyeniyi stated.
He has vowed to intensify intelligence-led operations to dismantle the drug networks entirely, calling on parents and community leaders to act as the “eyes and ears” of the command.
Investigations into the arrested suspects are currently ongoing as the police look to uncover the supply chains feeding the illicit trade.
