The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspects in separate intelligence-led operations and recovered two pump-action guns, 18 live cartridges and other dangerous items from them.
The operations were carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU) as part of efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and combat violent crime across the state.
In the first operation, operatives of the VCRU, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a residence in Obiaruku on September 12, 2026, following information that the occupant was in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The suspect, Joel Iwomi, 36, of Umuebu, Obiaruku, allegedly resisted attempts by the operatives to gain access to the premises.
The police said the operatives eventually gained entry and conducted a search, during which one pump-action gun and 18 live cartridges were recovered.
Iwomi was arrested and taken into custody, while investigation into the matter is ongoing.
In a separate operation conducted on September 9, operatives of the CACU arrested Chukwuka Nzete, also known as “Ododo”, of Isupe Community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
According to the command, 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 reportedly led to the recovery of another pump-action gun, four dagger knives, one battle axe and pots containing substances suspected to be charms.
The suspect was subsequently taken into custody as the police commenced investigation to determine the full extent of his activities and possible links with other criminal elements.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, reaffirmed the command’s determination to deny criminal elements access to illicit firearms and other weapons capable of threatening 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 provided to the police would be treated with the necessary confidentiality.