The Delta State Police Command has arraigned a 63-year-old proprietor of a popular brothel in Asaba, Prince Chizoba Ojokwu, along with 29 other suspects following an intelligence-led crime prevention operation targeting criminal hideouts across the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said Ojokwu, owner of Prince Tarvan 50 Brothel, was charged before the Asaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly permitting his premises to be used as a brothel and procuring women and girls for prostitution.

According to the police, the offences are punishable under Sections 224 and 223, respectively, of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C21, Volume I, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

Edafe said the brothel owner was among 202 suspects arrested during the large-scale intelligence-led operation conducted on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

The operation, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, followed credible intelligence generated by the State Criminal Intelligence Department (SCID).

The coordinated raid targeted identified criminal hideouts, brothels and suspected illicit drug dens across the Asaba metropolis and adjoining communities as part of the command’s sustained efforts to combat crime and improve public safety.

Following preliminary investigations, Edafe said 172 suspects were screened and released unconditionally after investigators found no sufficient evidence linking them to any criminal offence.

The remaining 30 suspects, including the brothel proprietor, were arraigned on various charges, including conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace and possession of illicit drugs.

The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring that every lawful arrest is backed by diligent investigation and prosecution wherever a prima facie case exists.

He warned operators of criminal hideouts, brothels and other unlawful establishments across Delta State to desist from activities capable of undermining public peace, stressing that the police would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and bringing offenders to justice.