The Delta State Police Command has delivered a major blow to violent crime, announcing two successful, intelligence-led operations that led to the arrest of suspected cultists and a gun peddler, along with the recovery of a significant cache of illegal firearms and ammunition.
The combined operations, conducted between October 25th and 27th, 2025, yielded a locally made double-barrel gun, a locally made single-barrel gun, a fabricated Beretta pistol, a pump-action shotgun, ten live cartridges, and four live rounds of ammunition.
The first operation focused on dismantling a suspected cult cell in the Aviara community, under the Oleh Division.
The investigation was initiated after a resident reported on October 25th that a video allegedly showing Eiye cult activities had been posted on a local WhatsApp group called “Real Men.”
CSP Keme Osuluku, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oleh Division, immediately deployed operatives to investigate. This led to the arrest of Donatus Odovo (male, 29), the suspect linked to the post, on October 26th.
Further questioning led officers to Zachariah Okeh (male, 36), identified as an alleged Eiye cult leader in Aviara. A subsequent search of Okeh’s residence, executed with a warrant, uncovered one locally made double-barrelled gun, one locally made single-barrelled gun, and six live cartridges. The two suspects are currently in custody as efforts continue to apprehend their collaborators.
In a separate, high-impact operation, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives intercepted a suspected gun peddler during a routine stop-and-search duty along the Asaba–Benin Expressway on October 27th at about 1345hrs.
Officers flagged down a Toyota RAV4 with registration number EPE 189 GN, driven by Mordi Emmanuel (male, 45) of Asaba. During a search of the vehicle, police recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol and four live rounds of ammunition hidden inside an envelope.
Under the operational direction of RRS Commander CSP Nosa Alex, a swift follow-up action was approved. A search warrant executed at Emmanuel’s residence uncovered an additional pump-action shotgun and four live cartridges. The suspect and all recovered exhibits are in custody, and an investigation is ongoing.
CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, the Commissioner of Police for Delta State, commended both the vigilance of residents and the professionalism of the officers involved in the arrests.
CP Olufemi reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and the unlawful possession of firearms. He restated the commitment to intelligence-led policing, strong community partnership, and strict adherence to the law, urging the public to continue to share timely and credible security information with the police.
