The Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of seven suspects and the recovery of two firearms and eight live cartridges in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, the operations were part of the Command’s sustained crackdown on criminal activities, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms.
Edafe said operatives attached to the Command’s Anti-Cult Unit raided a suspected criminal hideout in Eku-Igun community, Ethiope West Local Government Area, on May 11, 2026, at about 2:30 a.m.
“During the operation, six suspects linked to an unlawful society were arrested, while one locally made single-barrel gun, one double-barrel locally made pistol, and two live cartridges were recovered from the suspects,” the statement said.
Police said investigations were ongoing to determine the suspects’ possible involvement in recent cult-related killings and other violent crimes in Eku, Igun, Abraka, and neighbouring communities.
The Command added that efforts were being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
In a separate operation on May 13, 2026, operatives of the Safe Delta team attached to the Head Bridge nipping point intercepted a 32-year-old suspect identified as Mokwunye Prince Jerry during a routine stop-and-search operation.
According to the police, the suspect was riding a motorcycle and carrying a sack bag when he was stopped and searched.
“Six packets of live cartridges were recovered from the suspect,” the statement noted.
Preliminary investigation, according to the police, revealed that the suspect allegedly claimed to be a member of a hunters/vigilante group in Ibusa and said one Anthony, who is currently at large, instructed him to collect the ammunition.
The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for the successful operations and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism, illegal arms possession, and violent crimes across the state.
Oyeniyi also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with credible and timely information to aid ongoing security operations and enhance public safety.
