The Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of a suspected cultist and armed robber, along with the recovery of two locally fabricated firearms.
This is in a continued effort to combat crime and bolster public safety in the State.
The operation, which unfolded on June 9th, 2025, took place in Asaba, the state capital.
According to a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, operatives from the DOPS Buffalo Team, led by DSP Charles Evboifo, stormed a local food canteen identified as a known hideout for cult-related activity.
During the raid, the operatives apprehended one Kingsley Ugochukwu, aged 40, who allegedly attempted to dispose of a locally made Beretta pistol upon sighting the police.
The arrest took a more alarming turn during preliminary investigations when the suspect made a suspicious phone call to his wife. This led officers to expand the scope of the inquiry.
Police say the suspect instructed his wife to remove another weapon, a long-range, single-barrel gun, from their residence and conceal it in an uncompleted building.
She was subsequently arrested, and her confession led to the recovery of the second firearm.
While the arrest underscores the vigilance and tactical responsiveness of the Delta State Police Command, it also raises concerns about the growing sophistication and coordination among suspected criminals, even within domestic environments.
The use of locally fabricated weapons highlights a troubling undercurrent of illicit arms production and distribution that security agencies continue to grapple with across the region.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to crime prevention and community safety.
He urged the public to support the police by sharing timely and credible intelligence that could aid in proactive interventions.
“We remain resolute in dismantling criminal networks and protecting law-abiding citizens. Public cooperation remains vital to this effort,” the Commissioner stated.
Despite the successful operation, the incident serves as a reminder of the persistent security threats lurking within everyday settings.
It also prompts questions about the effectiveness of broader counter-cultism strategies and the role of community surveillance in urban neighborhoods.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity using the Command’s control room hotlines:
As Delta State continues to battle armed violence and cult-related crime, law enforcement authorities have reaffirmed their readiness to intensify surveillance and take decisive action against criminal elements across the state.
