In a decisive blow to organized crime, the Delta State Police Command has cracked down on a network of suspected armed robbers, cultists, and gun runners, recovering a cache of deadly weapons and arresting several suspects in coordinated sting operations across the state.
The breakthrough operations, carried out by operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) under the directive of Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, took place in Mosogar and Okpanam between June 11 and June 13, 2025.
According to a press statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, the first operation occurred in the early hours of June 11 at about 3:45am when CP-SAT operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson stormed a residence on Adams Street, Mosogar.
The team, acting on credible intelligence about cultist activities in the area, arrested Koko Josh (29) from Otor-Iyede in Isoko North LGA and Asomugha Clinton (27) of Mbaitoli origin in Imo State.
A search of the premises uncovered a fabricated Baretta pistol loaded with two live rounds, two locally made cut-to-size guns, eight live cartridges, multiple phones, a laptop, and fetish materials believed to be used for criminal rituals.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Anthony Kelvin (26) of Orhoakpor in Ethiope East and Gift Amotsuka (25) of Jakpa, Warri North, all suspected to be members of the Aiye confraternity, a notorious cult group.
In a separate but related operation on June 13, CP-SAT operatives conducted a sting operation in the Okpanam area of Asaba at about 4:00pm.
Arrested were Ekene Chroma (36) of Issele-Uku and Okafor Jonathan (18) of Onicha-Ugbo, both residents of Okpanam.
A search led to the recovery of two English single-barrel guns and a staggering 110 rounds of live cartridges, suggesting the duo were engaged in illicit arms trading.
All suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.
Commissioner Abaniwonda commended the public for the intelligence and support that made the successes possible.
“These achievements would not have been possible without the cooperation of law-abiding residents,” he said, urging more citizens to assist in the collective effort to rid the state of crime.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to stamping out criminality in Delta and called on members of the public to continue supplying credible information through the Command’s dedicated lines:
As Delta State battles the menace of cultism, armed robbery, and arms trafficking, the recent operations signal a firm stance by law enforcement against criminal syndicates threatening the peace of the state.
The arrests underscore a growing synergy between the police and vigilant communities in the state’s ongoing war against crime.
