Police operatives
The Delta State Police Command has recorded fresh breakthroughs in its ongoing operations against criminal activities across the state, with the arrest of seven suspects and the recovery of firearms and live cartridges during separate intelligence-led operations.
The operations, carried out by operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit and the Safe Delta team, targeted suspected cultists and individuals allegedly linked to illegal possession of ammunition.
In the first operation, police operatives attached to the Command Anti-Cult Unit raided a suspected criminal hideout at Eku-Igun community in Ethiope West Local Government Area in the early hours of May 11, 2026.
The raid, which followed credible intelligence, led to the arrest of six suspects allegedly connected to an unlawful society.
Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Asaba, said the operatives recovered one locally made single-barrel gun, one locally made double-barrel pistol and two live cartridges from the suspects.
According to him, investigations are ongoing to determine the level of involvement of the suspects in recent cult-related killings and other violent crimes reported in Eku, Igun, Abraka and surrounding communities.
He added that efforts were being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
In another operation on May 13, 2026, operatives of the Safe Delta team attached to the Head Bridge nipping point intercepted a suspect identified as Mokwunye Prince Jerry, aged 32, during a routine stop-and-search duty.
The suspect was said to have been riding a motorcycle with a sack bag when he was stopped and searched by the operatives.
During the search, six packets of live cartridges were allegedly recovered from the bag.
Preliminary investigation, according to the police, revealed that the suspect claimed to be a member of a hunters/vigilante group in Ibusa and allegedly stated that one Anthony, who is currently at large, directed him to collect the ammunition.
The police said investigations into the matter were still ongoing.
Commending the operatives for the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other violent crimes in the state.
“The Command remains unwavering in its commitment to combating cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and other violent crimes in the State,” the CP stated.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible and timely information to assist security agencies in improving public safety across Delta State.
