ASABA/Nigeria: Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have recorded major breakthroughs in separate intelligence-led operations, intercepting illicit drugs ingeniously concealed inside energy-saving bulbs and recovering a firearm linked to an ongoing murder and cultism investigation.
The operations were disclosed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who detailed how coordinated efforts by different tactical units led to the arrests and recoveries on April 13, 2026.
In the first operation, operatives of the Safer Highway Patrol (SHP) deployed along the Onicha-Ugbo/Ewohimi Road intercepted a Sienna bus conveying passengers to the northern part of the country at about 0845hrs.
The vehicle, driven by one Osuke Stephen, 47, was subjected to a routine but intelligence-driven search, during which officers uncovered hard drugs carefully concealed inside electric energy bulbs.
Police sources disclosed that 490 grams of a substance suspected to be cocaine and 4 grams of a substance suspected to be “loud,” a strain of cannabis, were recovered from the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit consignment was being transported to Abuja, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend other suspects connected to the smuggling network.
In a related development, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) recorded another breakthrough the same day at about 2045hrs, recovering a pump-action gun with three rounds of live cartridges abandoned at Ekigbo area of Ughelli.
The recovery, according to police, is linked to an ongoing investigation into conspiracy, cultism, and the murder of one Alex Adanike, which occurred on January 15, 2026, in Ughelli.
Police confirmed that three suspects have already been arrested, charged to court, and remanded in custody in connection with the killing.
Further intelligence identified one Eddy Onose, currently at large, as the last person in possession of the firearm before he allegedly abandoned it upon noticing he was being trailed by operatives.
Investigators also linked the fleeing suspect to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, popularly known as “Aro Bagger,” raising concerns about the role of cult groups in violent crimes across the state.
The Command said efforts are ongoing, in collaboration with local vigilante groups, to apprehend the suspect and recover additional exhibits connected to the case.
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, stated that sustained intelligence-led operations would continue to target criminal networks across Delta State.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies with credible information, assuring that the Police would not relent in its crackdown on drug trafficking, cultism, and violent crimes.
