ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its intensified campaign against the trafficking of illegal arms and ammunition, with the arrest of a notorious arms dealer and his female accomplice in Warri, following a well-coordinated intelligence operation.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the operation was conducted by operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, acting on credible intelligence provided by the Force Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), Abuja.
The operation began with the arrest of one Jamila Abubakar, a female suspect, at the Conoil Filling Station along Warri–Patani Road, Effurun, where she was found with ₦550,000 concealed beneath her bag, suspected to be proceeds from illicit arms transactions. Her arrest provided a crucial lead that guided detectives to the main target.
Building on the intelligence trail, the team stormed the Niger-Cat area of Warri, where they successfully arrested a 31-year-old male suspect, Ahmed Ibrahim, of Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area, at about 7:25 a.m. on October 22, 2025.
A thorough search of his residence and surroundings led to the recovery of a bag containing 115 rounds of 7.63mm AK-47 live ammunition, 220 rounds of SMG rifle ammunition, and 32 live cartridges.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Ahmed Ibrahim is a major arms supplier to bandit groups operating in northern Nigeria and has been on the Command’s watch list for his alleged involvement in several kidnapping and armed robbery cases. He was also linked to the kidnap and brutal murder of Mrs. Ogheneovo Onemu, who was abducted on May 17, 2024, at Ajaokuta Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area, and later killed despite her family paying a ₦4 million ransom.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, hailed the operation as a significant success in the Command’s ongoing efforts to curb the flow of illegal arms and dismantle criminal syndicates across the state. He vowed that the police would continue to track, arrest, and prosecute all individuals connected to arms smuggling and organized crime.
“This operation underscores our unwavering resolve to protect law-abiding citizens and eliminate the sources of weapons used to terrorize communities,” CP Abaniwonda said. “We will not relent until all those involved in the illegal arms trade are brought to justice.”
He urged residents to remain vigilant and to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information that can help prevent crime, assuring that the Command remains fully committed to the safety and security of all Deltans.
Members of the public with useful information are encouraged to contact the Delta State Police Command via the control room numbers: 08036684974, 08114895600, or 08025666914.
SP Bright Edafe reaffirmed that investigations are ongoing, and both suspects remain in custody as the Command works to trace other members of the trafficking network.
