The Delta State Police Command has announced the recovery of 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 operations also led to the arrest of three suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity, according to a statement issued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
In the first operation, operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on intelligence about the activities of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, raided a suspected criminal hideout in a bush around Uduere Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The operation took place at about 9:00 p.m. on October 4, 2026.
According to the police, the suspects opened fire when they sighted the operatives, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The suspects reportedly fled the hideout after they were unable to withstand the police response.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 55 rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action gun, seven live cartridges, a knife, a cutlass and a mobile phone.
The police said a manhunt had been launched for the fleeing suspects.
Three Suspected Black Axe Members Arrested
In a separate operation, operatives of the Quick Response Squad (QRS) arrested three suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity in Kokori Community, Ethiope East LGA.
The operation was carried out at about 12:45 a.m. on October 5, following intelligence about suspected cult activities along Ekrakra Road, Kokori.
The police said the suspects fled in different directions after sighting the operatives, but three individuals were arrested.
They were identified as Uzubu Ufuoma, 33; Solomon Ovie, 27; and Remember Emuere, 31.
During the investigation, the suspects allegedly led the police to an abandoned building at Okodjerhe Village, Kokori, where an automatic pump-action gun was recovered.
The three suspects remain in police custody, while the command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the group who escaped during the operation.
Police Warn Criminal Elements
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, warned kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists and other criminal elements that the command would continue to identify and disrupt criminal hideouts across the state.
He said the police would sustain operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide the police with credible information about suspicious persons and activities in their communities.
The police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said the latest recoveries and arrests formed part of the command’s continuing efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism in Delta State.
