ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has intensified its clampdown on violent crime with the arrest of suspected cultists and a gunrunner in two coordinated operations that led to the recovery of dangerous firearms and ammunition across the state.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the operations were carried out following credible intelligence and swift action by operatives under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi.
The statement said that in the first operation, police operatives attached to Oleh Division launched a discreet investigation after receiving a report from a resident of Aviara community on October 25, 2025. The resident had alerted the division about a viral video shared on a WhatsApp group known as “Real Men”, which showed suspected members of the Eiye confraternity engaging in cult-related activities.
It stated that following the report, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Keme Osuluku, immediately detailed his men to trace the suspects behind the video. Their investigation led to the arrest of Donatus Odovo, 29, of Aviara community, on October 26, 2025. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Zachariah Okeh, 36, identified as a suspected leader of the Eiye cult group in the same community.
The statement added that during a search conducted at Okeh’s residence, police operatives recovered one locally made double-barrelled gun, one locally made single-barrelled gun, and six live cartridges, which were seized as exhibits. The suspects were taken into custody for interrogation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the cult group believed to be operating in the area.
It further stated that in another development, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested a suspected gunrunner, Mordi Emmanuel, 45, during a stop-and-search operation along the Asaba–Benin Expressway on October 27, 2025, at about 1:45 p.m. The suspect, who was driving a Toyota RAV4 SUV with registration number EPE 189 GN, was intercepted for routine checks.
According to the statement, during a thorough search of the vehicle, the operatives discovered an envelope containing a fabricated Beretta pistol with breech number 5182207 and four live rounds of ammunition. Acting under the command of CSP Nosa Alex, the RRS Commander, the team obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence located at No. 74, Family Estate, Asaba, where a pump-action shotgun (breech number 20-R-3921) and four live cartridges were recovered.
The statement explained that the recovered firearms and ammunition have been secured as exhibits, while investigations are ongoing to trace the source and intended destination of the weapons. It added that the suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation.
The statement also quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, as commending the professionalism of the officers involved and the support of residents whose credible information led to the successful operations. The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-driven policing, community partnership, and zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms.
“The message is clear — criminal elements have no hiding place in Delta State,” the statement quoted CP Olufemi as saying. “We will sustain the tempo of operations until every cultist, gunrunner, and criminal network is dismantled. The safety of law-abiding citizens remains our top priority.”
The statement, therefore, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to the police, assuring that all reports will be treated with confidentiality and prompt action.
