Police arrest 16 suspects in Delta, recover guns, stolen car

The Delta State Police Command has made 16 arrests and recovered two firearms, a stolen Toyota Camry, and suspected illicit drugs in a series of operations across the state. The command also thwarted a suspected cult gathering, prevented an alleged extortion at a construction site, and apprehended suspects linked to drug activities.

During a raid on a suspected cult gathering in Aragba-Orogun, eight individuals were taken into custody, including Godspower Achubue, Ziden Edem, Kingsley Aniefem, Omita John, Onumu Happy, Kenneth Ukpurakpo, Juliet Festus, and Oghenegueke Okuanah. A search of one suspect's residence uncovered a pump-action gun and a live cartridge.

In another operation, police caught Collins Dunkun, 30, after receiving a report of an extortion attempt at a construction site on September 8. The suspects allegedly invaded the site, seized workers' tools, and demanded a sum of N700,000 before allowing work to continue. Police recovered a locally-made single-barrel pistol after arresting Dunkun, and are still pursuing the other fugitives.

Meanwhile, on September 8, the Divisional Surveillance Team raided an incomplete building in Warri, resulting in the arrest of five suspects who were allegedly involved in illicit drug activities. Subsequent searches uncovered suspected narcotics such as Indian hemp, Codeine, and Rizla.

In Ekpan, two suspects, Destiny Suleman, 41, and Samuel Ejiro, 21, were apprehended along with a stolen Toyota Camry, which had been stolen in Benin City on September 7. The police emphasized that criminal acts such as cultism, firearms possession, extortion, and drug trafficking would not be tolerated in the state. Commissioner of Police Samuel E. Erale vowed to continue proactive measures to prevent crime and dismantle criminal networks.