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The Delta State Police Command has recorded significant operational breakthroughs in its sustained crackdown on violent crime, cultism and drug trafficking across the state, recovering 11 firearms and arresting dozens of suspects within a two-week period.

Briefing journalists in Asaba, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, said the achievements followed intensified intelligence-led operations, raids on criminal hideouts and renewed directives to commanders to remain firm, professional and accountable in the discharge of their duties.

According to the police boss, operatives of the CP–Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) on January 17 engaged suspected cultists in Ughelli following credible intelligence. One suspect, arrested with gunshot injuries after a gun duel, later died in hospital, while a Beretta pistol and four rounds of live ammunition were recovered. Efforts to arrest other fleeing suspects are ongoing.

In another major operation on January 11, police, working with community vigilantes, foiled a planned kidnap along the Upper Agbarho axis of Ughelli North Local Government Area. Six suspected kidnappers fled after exchanging fire with operatives, abandoning an FNC rifle, a pump-action gun and ammunition at their hideout.

The Command also arrested a suspected cultist and armed robber, Gift Ojulowo, 30, during a patrol at Hausa Market, Ubeji, where a locally fabricated gun and two live cartridges were recovered. The suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of the Aye Confraternity.

Further arrests include two suspected armed robbers apprehended at Isheagu on January 19, with the recovery of a double-barrelled gun and six live cartridges, as well as the arrest of a 45-year-old woman, Joy Ezeni, in Ogwashi-Uku with 100 wraps of suspected illicit drugs.

In a related operation, police operatives recovered 36 bottles of nitrous oxide, popularly known as “laughing gas,” from a 43-year-old suspect, Obi Onuigbi Ndubuoso, underscoring what the Commissioner described as the Command’s zero tolerance for drug trafficking and abuse.

The police also arrested a 20-year-old murder suspect, Aliyu Haman, in Ogwashi-Uku, accused of stabbing his brother to death. Preliminary investigations indicate the incident was linked to drug abuse.

Providing a statistical summary, CP Adesola said the Command recovered 11 firearms and 80 rounds of ammunition, arrested 11 murder suspects, 13 suspected cultists, one rape suspect, and recovered one stolen vehicle within the period under review.

Expressing concern over the rising cases of drug abuse among youths, the Commissioner said the Ogwashi-Uku killing was avoidable and vowed to intensify raids across all 25 local government areas to dismantle drug networks in the state.

He assured residents of the Command’s commitment to public safety, thanked the Delta State Government for its continued support, and urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies in the fight against crime.