ASABA/Nigeria: In a sweeping, intelligence-led crackdown on violent crime and drug trafficking, operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested five suspects and recovered firearms, illicit drugs and dangerous weapons in separate operations across Agbor and the Benin–Asaba corridor.
The coordinated raids, executed by specialised tactical teams, were part of sustained efforts by the Command to dismantle criminal networks linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and drug peddling, with police sources describing the operations as a significant disruption of emerging threats in the state.
In one of the operations, conducted on April 4, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., operatives of the Raiders Unit stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Ika South Local Government Area, Agbor, following credible intelligence. The raid led to the arrest of one Henry Obi, 34, a native of Anambra State, who reportedly confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity.
A search of the premises uncovered an English-made pistol loaded with six rounds of live ammunition. Further checks exposed a stash of suspected illicit drugs cleverly concealed inside a standing LG air conditioner in the living room, in what investigators believe was a deliberate attempt to evade detection.
In a related operation on April 5, 2026, at about 5:09 p.m., operatives of the Buffalo Team, working in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Achalla Branch, raided a criminal hotspot at the Hausa Market near the Customs Checkpoint along the Benin–Asaba Expressway.
The raid resulted in the arrest of four suspects identified as Yakubu Umar, 19; Galiu Adamu, 17; Nuhu Musa, 16; and Zaraduwu Usman, 21.
Recovered from the suspects were large quantities of suspected illicit drugs, including Colorado, Canadian Loud, substances believed to be Indian hemp, Tramadol and Swinol. Police also seized two locally fabricated battle axes and cash totaling ₦144,000.
All suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to unravel the extent of their operations and possible links to wider criminal syndicates.
Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the officers for their swift and coordinated action, describing the raids as part of the Command’s sustained crackdown on crime across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies with credible information, assuring that the police would not relent in their efforts to protect lives and property.
The statement detailing the operations was issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Bright Edafe.
