Delta Police nab 25 murder, cult suspects

EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, Warri

No fewer than 25 criminal suspects have been arrested, while 11 firearms and 80 rounds of ammunition and cartridges were recovered by the Delta State Police Command during sustained security operations carried out across the state between 8 January and 19 January 2026.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Aina Adesola, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the command’s recent achievements, noting that the arrests included 11 murder suspects, 13 suspected cultists and one rape or defilement suspect, as well as the recovery of one stolen vehicle.

He said the successes followed intensified raids on criminal hideouts and black spots, as directed during his maiden officers’ conference.

Among the major incidents recorded was a gun duel with suspected cultists in Ughelli on 17 January, during which one suspected cultist and armed robber sustained gunshot injuries, was arrested and later died while receiving treatment in hospital.

A Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition was recovered at the scene, while efforts to arrest other fleeing suspects are ongoing.

In another operation, police operatives, acting on intelligence and in collaboration with community vigilantes, foiled a planned kidnap on 11 January in the Upper Agbarho area of Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The suspects reportedly opened fire on the operatives but were forced to flee after being overpowered.

An FNC rifle loaded with one round of live ammunition and a pump-action gun with 32 live cartridges were recovered from the abandoned hideout.

The command also arrested a suspected cultist and armed robber, identified as Gift Ojulowo, aged 30, during a patrol along Hausa Market in Ubeji on 10 January.

A locally fabricated gun and two live cartridges were recovered from him, and he reportedly confessed to being a member of the Aye Confraternity.

Similarly, on 19 January, operatives of the Raiders Unit arrested two suspected armed robbers at Isheagu and recovered a double-barrelled gun with six rounds of live cartridges.

In its crackdown on drug-related offences, the police arrested a 45-year-old woman, Joy Ezeni, in Ogwashi-Uku on 19 January, recovering 100 wraps of a substance suspected to be “Loud”.

Another suspect, Obi Onuigbi Ndubuoso, aged 43, was arrested on 8 January with 36 bottles of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas.

The police also recorded a breakthrough in a murder case reported at Ogwashi-Uku on 8 January, where a 20-year-old man was stabbed to death while asleep.

 Investigations revealed that the deceased was allegedly killed by his brother, who was arrested, with the weapon used in committing the crime was recovered.

Mr Adesola expressed concern over the rising incidence of murder and drug abuse among youths, describing the Ogwashi-Uku killing as avoidable.

He said the suspect involved was a chronic drug user and vowed that the command would intensify its fight against the sale and abuse of illicit drugs.

 According to him, massive raids have been ordered across the state’s 25 local government areas to dismantle drug cartels.

The Commissioner assured residents of adequate security, thanked the Delta State Government for its continued support, and called on members of the public to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality.