The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspects and recovered two pump-action guns, 18 live cartridges and other dangerous items in separate intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU).
The command said the operations were part of its ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and combat violent crimes across the state.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, the command said the VCRU arrested a 36-year-old suspect, Joel Iwomi, following credible intelligence that he had firearms and ammunition.
According to the statement, operatives of the VCRU stormed Iwomi’s residence in Obiaruku on September 12, 2026.
“The suspect, Joel Iwomi ‘m’, 36 years old, of Umuebu, Obiaruku, resisted the operatives’ attempt to gain access to the premises,” the statement said.
It added that the operatives eventually gained entry and conducted a search of the residence, during which they recovered one pump-action gun and 18 live cartridges.
The suspect was subsequently arrested and taken into custody, while the investigation is ongoing.
In a separate operation conducted on September 9, 2026, operatives of the CACU arrested another suspect, identified as Chukwuka Nzete, also known as “Ododo,” of Isupe Community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
The command said Nzete was suspected of involvement in the illegal sale and proliferation of firearms and allegedly operated a shrine where suspected criminal elements were fortified.
A search of his residence, according to the police, led to the recovery of one pump-action gun, four dagger knives, one battle axe and pots containing substances suspected to be charms.
The suspect was also taken into custody as detectives commenced an investigation to determine the full extent of his activities and possible links to other criminal elements.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, reaffirmed the command’s determination to deny criminals access to illicit firearms and other weapons that threaten public safety.
Erale urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information about suspicious persons, illegal firearms and criminal activities in their communities.
He assured members of the public that actionable information would be treated with the necessary confidentiality.
