Omemiroro Ogedegbe Backs Police Raids On Drug Dealers In Delta, Raises Concerns

By Daniel Dafe

A lawyer, Omemiroro Maxwell Ogedegbe has said that “the recent operation by the Delta State Police Command in storming communities across the state, particularly Ugbromo and Otokutu, leading to the arrest of suspected illicit drug dealers, is indeed a commendable step in the fight against crime and substance abuse.”

He said this in a Facebook post on Saturday titled: ‘The task before the new Police Commissioner.’

Adding that “while this initiative appears proactive on the surface, serious concerns arise as to its actual impact and sincerity.”

According to him, “there is growing public perception that these arrests are not followed by diligent investigation or prosecution,” saying that “rather, it appears that many of those arrested are released shortly after, without being formally charged to court.”

This, Ogedegbe, said raises a critical question of “what is the true essence of these arrests?”

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He said that “law enforcement actions must go beyond mere raids and arrests,” just as he said that “the fight against illicit drug trafficking can only be meaningful if it results in proper investigation, transparent prosecution and conviction of offenders in accordance with the law.”

He continued: “Failure to prosecute offenders not only undermines justice but also fuels a cycle where suspects, upon release, return to the illicit trade—often with increased intensity to recover alleged extorted sums. This ultimately worsens the very problem the police claim to be addressing.”

This issue calls for urgent attention from the new Commissioner of Police.

Furthermore, he said the people of Delta State deserve accountability in police operations, transparency in handling arrested suspects, and a demonstrable commitment to ending illicit drug activities—not profiting from them.

He thus urged the leadership of the Delta State Police Command to publish records of arrests and prosecutions relating to drug offenses, ensure all suspects are duly charged to court where evidence exists, investigate allegations of extortion within its ranks, and restore public confidence through lawful and ethical policing.

“The fight against illicit drugs must be genuine, not transactional,” he concluded.