Ebenezer Adurokiya, Warri
The Delta State Police Command says it has recovered an AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns, 55 rounds of live ammunition and seven live cartridges in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The command also said three suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity were arrested during the operations.
The police, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the operations were carried out by operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) and the Quick Response Squad (QRS).
According to the statement, the CP-SAT, acting on credible intelligence about the activities of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, stormed a suspected hideout in a bush around Uduere Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area, at about 9pm on October 4, 2026.
The suspects allegedly opened fire on the operatives after sighting them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
The police said the suspects eventually fled the scene after they were unable to withstand the operatives’ firepower.
A subsequent search of the hideout led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 55 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, seven live cartridges, one knife, one cutlass and a mobile phone.
The command said a manhunt had commenced for the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation, operatives of the QRS arrested three suspected cultists in Kokori Community, Ethiope East LGA.
The police said the operation was conducted at about 12:45am on October 5, following credible intelligence that suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity were holding a meeting at a location along Ekrakra Road, Kokori.
According to the command, the suspects fled in different directions upon sighting the operatives, but three of them were apprehended.
They were identified as Uzubu Ufuoma, 33; Solomon Ovie, 27; and Remember Emuere, 31.
During the investigation, the police said the suspects led operatives to an abandoned building at Okodjerhe Village, Kokori, where an automatic pump-action gun allegedly belonging to the group was recovered.
The three suspects remain in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the group.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, warned criminal elements, particularly kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists, that the command would continue to identify their hideouts, disrupt their activities and bring them to justice.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information about suspicious persons and activities in their communities.
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