Metro

Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Gun Peddlers In Delta

Published

6 months ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a gang of suspected cultists and gun peddlers and recovered from the hoodlums multiple firearms and ammunition.

This was contained in a statement issued by the police public relations officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday.

The police spokesman stated that the Command succeeded in tightening the net on violent crime with two decisive operations that led to arrests and the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition.

According to him, on October 25, 2025, at about 1800hrs, a resident of Aviara community, under Oleh Division, intimated the police that on 22nd October, 2025, at about 0812hrs, a video depicting suspected Eiye cult activity was posted on a WhatsApp group known as “Real Men”.

Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Oleh Division, CSP Keme Osuluku, detailed his operatives to investigate the matter discreetly.

He said, “At 0800hrs on 26 October 2025, acting on preliminary findings, the operatives arrested the suspect linked to the post, Donatus Odovo, male (29), of Aviara community.

“Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of Zachariah Okeh, male (36), alleged to be an Eiye cult leader in Aviara.

“During execution of a search warrant at his residence, officers recovered one locally made double-barrelled gun, one locally made single-barrelled gun, and six live cartridges.”

Consequently, the exhibits were secured, and the suspects were taken into custody for further questioning, the PPRO said.

While noting that efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional collaborators, the PPRO maintained that “the actions, driven by credible intelligence, sent a clear signal to cult groups and robbery syndicates that the State is not a safe harbour”.

In another development, on October 27, 2025, at about 1345hrs, Rapid Response Squad operatives, while on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba-Benin expressway, intercepted a Toyota RAV4 with registration number EPE 189 GN.

The driver, Mordi Emmanuel (45), of No. 74, Family Estate, Asaba, complied with routine checks.

However, inside an envelope found in the vehicle, the police officers recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol with breech No. 5182207, with four live rounds.

Acting under the operational direction of the Rapid Response Squad Commander, CSP Nosa Alex, who coordinated the deployment and approved immediate follow-up actions, a team executed a duly obtained search warrant at the suspect’s residence, during which one pump-action shotgun with breech No. 20-R-3921, and four live cartridges were recovered from the house and premises.

The suspect and the exhibits are currently in custody while the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has commended the vigilance of residents and the professionalism displayed by the officers involved.

The police boss reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and the unlawful possession of firearms, while also restating “the commitment to intelligence-led policing, community partnership, and strict respect for the law”.

He urged members of the public to remain security-conscious and to share timely, credible information with the police.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

21 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.