Operatives of Safe Delta have arrested a 23-year-old suspected armed robber, Raphael Chukwuemeka, with a cut-to-size double-barrel pistol and seven live cartridges.

The suspect was apprehended along DBS Road, Asaba, Delta State, on September 9, 2025. He is now in police custody.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest in a statement.

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The police spokesman said, “On September 9, 2025, operatives of Safe Delta, while on surveillance patrol along DBS Road, sighted a group of boys fighting and engaging in affray, one with a cutlass.”

According to SP Edafe, “The operatives swiftly went to the scene and, in the process, arrested Raphael Chukwuemeka, 23, with one cut-to-size double-barrel pistol with seven live cartridges recovered from him.”

He added, “The suspect was taken into custody, and the investigation is ongoing.”

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Over 80 Suspects, Recover Guns In Delta

In a separate incident, operatives of Safe Delta, while on stop-and-search duty at Head Bridge, Asaba, arrested three suspected armed robbers, Solomon Offor, 22, Ifesinachi Nwankeze, 19, and Ambrose Ugwuba, 23.

They were apprehended on September 10, 2025, at about 10:30 am.

Edafe confirmed, “Upon search of the suspects and the motorcycle, a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, cartridges and a dagger concealed in a bag were recovered.”

Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Thursday night attacked a burial ceremony in Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing four persons and injuring about 15 others.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, believed to be from a rival cult group, stormed the venue on motorcycles while family members were performing the burial rites.

They opened fire on mourners, sending others scampering for safety before fleeing the scene.

“The assailants suddenly invaded the scene of the burial on Thursday and opened fire at the gathering, targeting some people who were present.

“The family members of the deceased and other mourners were performing the burial rites in the compound, when they arrived at the scene and shot at the mourners, while others scampered to safety.

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“They came in some motorcycles and after carrying out their deadly mission, immediately left the scene,” an indigene who was near the scene, who did not want his name in print, The told PUNCH.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday, the spokesman for the state police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, quickly responded, restored normalcy, and evacuated the victims to hospitals.

Ikenga said the Command has commenced a discreet investigation to identify, trace, and arrest the perpetrators, adding that preliminary findings suggested that the incident is connected to a clash between rival cult groups.

He said, “Following a distress call in the late hours of September 11, 2025, that armed men suspected to be cultists invaded a burial ceremony at Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA, and opened fire on the attendees, resulting in the death of four persons while 15 others sustained serious injuries.

“Police operatives from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, swiftly mobilised to the scene, restored normalcy, and immediately evacuated the victims to hospitals for medical attention. In the course of the operation, 16 expended cartridges were recovered as exhibits.

READ ALSO:Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

“The Command has since launched a discreet investigation to identify, trace, and arrest the perpetrators, as preliminary findings suggest that the incident is connected to a clash between rival cult groups.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, has strongly condemned the incident and assured residents of the command’s resolve to rid the state of cult-related violence and other criminal activities.

“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm, security-conscious, and to continue to provide useful information by reporting suspicious movements or persons to the nearest Police formation.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.

READ ALSO:Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

This latest incident comes months after The PUNCH reported that seven people, including five police officers, were killed in January when gunmen invaded a compound in Ihiala LGA during preparations for another burial.

It was gathered that the family members in the compound were making preparations for a burial ceremony scheduled to be held on January 2, 2025, when suddenly, the hoodlums invaded the place and started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of the victims.

The assailants were said to have opened fire at the gathering, targeting security operatives stationed near the local government headquarters as they fled the scene.

The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who visited the scene to condole with the families of the victims, announced a N10m bounty each for information leading to the capture of each of the gunmen responsible for the killing.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 65-year-old man, Chibuike Azubike, for allegedly parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos.”

He was apprehended alongside three alleged accomplices while attempting to stage an unlawful unveiling ceremony.

The arrest comes against the backdrop of growing ethnic tension, particularly among youths on various social media platforms, who exchanged banters over Azubike’s planned installation.

Azubike, said to be an indigene of the Obodoukwu Ancient Kingdom in the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested with Chief Chibuzor Ani (57), Chief Martins Nwaodika (65), and Ikechukwu Franklin Nnadi (41).

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The four are currently being held at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

According to the police in a statement shared on X.com on Wednesday, the group had planned to unveil a prototype of a purported N1.5bn “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Apple Hall in Amuwo Odofin.

The command noted that the venue was swiftly sealed off by security operatives to prevent public disturbance and protect unsuspecting citizens from being deceived.

The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, said tactical teams, including the Eko Strike Force, were deployed to the location to maintain law and order.

READ ALSO:Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

He added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court once concluded.

Jimoh further warned residents to be vigilant against impostors exploiting cultural and traditional institutions, stressing that such acts are illegal and capable of disturbing public peace.

This is not the first time that the police would make such arrest.

Notably, on April 1, 2023, Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, was similarly arrested for unlawfully parading himself as a titled chief in Lagos.