No fewer than 43 suspected miscreants have been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for allegedly disrupting New Year’s Eve celebrations in parts of Asaba metropolis.
The suspects were said to have been apprehended during the crossover night into 2026 for engaging in violent conduct, including attacks on police patrol teams and the throwing of stones and other dangerous objects.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the arrested persons, made up of touts and hoodlums, took advantage of the festive crowd to unleash lawlessness across major parts of the city.
He said the suspects allegedly blocked key roads, engaged in illegal car racing, drove recklessly and endangered lives, adding that some commuters were knocked down while fireworks were thrown at unsuspecting members of the public.
“The situation escalated when the hoodlums launched violent attacks on police patrol teams, hurling stones and other dangerous projectiles, and setting tyres ablaze at strategic junctions, deliberately obstructing free movement, particularly for worshippers returning from New Year church services,” Edafe said.
According to him, police operatives promptly deployed lawful crowd control measures to disperse the mob, restore calm and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The police spokesperson disclosed that 25 vehicles, eight tricycles, fireworks, hard drugs and other offensive weapons were recovered during the operation.
He added that the suspects are currently in custody while investigations are ongoing.
The command condemned the acts of violence and warned that it would not tolerate any attempt to exploit festive periods to foment unrest, obstruct public roads or attack security personnel, stressing that such actions would always attract firm and lawful response.