The Delta State Police Command has arrested four suspected criminals in separate operations targeting cultism and armed robbery in Umunede and Ughelli, recovering seven firearms, ten live cartridges, two stolen motorcycles and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
The operations, which involved operatives of the Umunede Police Division and the Commissioner of Police’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and tackle insecurity across the state.
In the first operation, two suspected cultists were arrested on October 30, 2026, following a report by a resident of Umunede who alleged that one Chibuike Ezeji, 30, had threatened to kill him while brandishing a pistol.
Acting on the complaint, police operatives, in collaboration with members of the Umunede Civilian Anti-Cult Group, raided a residence along Umunede Expressway, reportedly belonging to one Oscar Ignatius, a suspected cultist, where the alleged offender was said to be residing.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Ezeji and another suspect, Ikenna Emeka, 22.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of five firearms, comprising one pump-action gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun and three locally made pistols. Eight live cartridges and substances suspected to be cannabis and methamphetamine, popularly known as ice, were also recovered.
In a related development, operatives of CP-SAT arrested two suspected armed robbers in Ughelli following complaints of motorcycle thefts and snatching by armed men along Stadium Road, Saniko and adjoining communities.
The operation, carried out at about 5:30 a.m. on October 28, 2026, involved a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in the Ighrovie area of Ughelli.
The suspects, identified as Peter Emobaye, 22, and James Emmanuel, 29, were arrested, while one stolen Qlink motorcycle was recovered.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly led the operatives to the residence of their alleged gang leader, identified simply as Sunny, at Ufuoma Town.
A search of the residence yielded another stolen motorcycle, a Daylong, one fabricated Beretta pistol, one locally made shotgun and two live cartridges.
The police said the four suspects were in custody, while investigations were ongoing. Efforts were also being intensified to apprehend the fleeing alleged gang leader and other members of the suspected criminal syndicate.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, reaffirmed the command’s determination to rid the state of cultism, armed robbery and the proliferation of illegal firearms.
He urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, assuring the public that the command would sustain its operations to protect lives and property across Delta State.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD, disclosed this in a press release issued on October 31, 2026, in Asaba.
