The Delta State Police Command has recorded significant successes in its ongoing fight against crime, including the killing of a suspected cultist during a gun battle, the foiling of a planned kidnapping, the arrest of murder and drug suspects, and the recovery of firearms and illicit substances across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, disclosed this during a press briefing in Asaba, where he briefed journalists on the command’s achievements within the period under review.
He said the breakthroughs followed directives issued during his maiden Officers’ Conference, where Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders were instructed to intensify raids on criminal hideouts and black spots, while remaining professional and respectful in their dealings with members of the public.
According to the police commissioner, the command will not tolerate criminal activities, just as it will deal decisively with any officer whose conduct brings the Force into disrepute.
Giving details of the operations, CP Adesola said that on January 17, 2026, at about 7:35 p.m., operatives of the CP–Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on credible intelligence, raided a bush in Ughelli town where suspected cultists were reportedly gathered.
He said the suspects engaged the police in a gun duel but were repelled, forcing them to flee with gunshot injuries. One suspect was arrested with severe injuries and taken to the hospital, where he later died. A Beretta pistol and four rounds of live ammunition were recovered, while efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects are ongoing.
In another operation on January 11, 2026, at about 9:35 p.m., CP-SAT operatives, working with community vigilantes, foiled a planned kidnapping at a criminal hideout located in an uncompleted building along Upper Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The commissioner said six suspected kidnappers opened fire on the operatives on sighting them, but were forced to flee after the police responded with superior firepower. The suspects abandoned their weapons, including one FNC rifle with a live round and one pump-action gun with 32 live cartridges.
On January 10, 2026, at about 1:20 a.m., operatives of the Ekpan Division arrested a suspected cultist and armed robber during a patrol at Hausa Market, Ubeji. The suspect, identified as Gift Ojulowo, 30, was found with a locally fabricated gun and two live cartridges concealed in his trousers. He later confessed to being a member of the Aye Confraternity.
The police also arrested two suspected armed robbers, including one Odinaka David, at Isheagu on January 19, 2026, following a tip-off. A double-barrelled gun and six rounds of live cartridges were recovered, and investigations are ongoing.
In the same vein, operatives of the Raiders Unit arrested a 45-year-old woman, Joy Ezeni, at Ogwashi-Uku on January 19, 2026, and recovered 100 wraps of a substance suspected to be “Loud,” a strong strain of cannabis.
Earlier, on January 8, 2026, the Raiders Unit arrested one Obi Onuigbi Ndubuoso, 43, and recovered 36 bottles of nitrous oxide, popularly known as “laughing gas,” suspected to be illicit drugs.
The command also recorded a breakthrough in a murder case in Ogwashi-Uku, where a 20-year-old man was stabbed to death while asleep on January 8, 2026, along Poly Road near Adaigbo Filling Station.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was allegedly stabbed by his younger brother, Aliyu Haman, 20, after taking substances suspected to be illicit drugs. The suspect was arrested, and the weapon used in committing the crime was recovered.
Providing a statistical breakdown of achievements recorded from January 8 to date, CP Adesola said the command recovered 11 firearms and 80 rounds of ammunition and cartridges. He added that 11 murder suspects, 13 suspected cultists and one rape or defilement suspect were arrested, while one stolen vehicle was recovered.
The police commissioner expressed concern over the rising cases of drug abuse and violent crime among youths, describing the Ogwashi-Uku killing as avoidable. He said drug abuse remains a major driver of violent crimes in the state.
CP Adesola announced that he had ordered massive raids across the 25 local government areas of Delta State to dismantle drug cartels and curb the sale and abuse of illicit substances.
While assuring residents of improved security, he thanked the Delta State Government for its continued support and urged members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing useful information to help combat crime and criminality across the state.
