Asaba, Nigeria — 5 December 2025
Police in Nigeria’s Delta State say they have arrested more than 600 suspects and recovered 144 firearms in a series of operations carried out since January this year.
At a press briefing in Asaba on Thursday, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda S. Olufemi, said the command had adopted what he described as intelligence-driven and community-based policing, working with local vigilantes, traditional leaders and other security agencies.
Among the most significant cases highlighted was the arrest of two suspects in connection with the killing of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, who was murdered at her residence on 24 November. Police said a 25-year-old security guard attached to the house was arrested on 6 December and later led officers to an alleged accomplice. Investigators say the suspects confessed to tying and killing the former judge before stealing her belongings. One of her mobile phones has been recovered, while a third suspect remains at large
Police also reported the death of a suspected kidnapper during a gun battle in the Obiaruku forest area on 1 December. According to the command, officers from the State Anti-Cult Unit came under fire while responding to intelligence about kidnappers in the area. An AK-47 rifle, 42 rounds of ammunition, several mobile phones and charms were recovered, while other suspects escaped with gunshot injuries.
In a separate operation in Abraka on 6 December, officers arrested a 67-year-old man and recovered two pump-action guns and 39 live cartridges from his residence. Further coordinated raids between 28 and 29 November across Ughelli, Oghara and Sapele led to the arrest of three suspected armed robbers and cultists, with police recovering locally made firearms, ammunition and two stolen tricycles.
The command also announced a major crackdown on drug trafficking. On 10 December, police raided a suspected drug distribution centre in Agbor, arresting 161 people — 110 men and 51 women — and seizing substances including cannabis, codeine syrup, tramadol and what officers described as “Canadian Loud” and “Ice”. Three days later, officers intercepted a bus at the Asaba–Onitsha bridge, recovering more codeine and tramadol and arresting additional suspects.
Summarising operations for the year, police said they had recovered 27 AK-47/AK-49 rifles, 25 Beretta pistols, 56 single-barrel or locally made guns and 36 pump-action guns, along with 6,930 rounds of ammunition. Authorities also said ₦36m ($45,000) in ransom payments had been recovered.
According to police figures, 627 suspects were arrested during the period, including those accused of armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, cultism and sexual offences. Officers said 18 kidnapped victims had been rescued and 28 stolen vehicles recovered.
Mr Olufemi said officers had been instructed to remain vigilant ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities and urged members of the public to provide credible information to security agencies.
The Delta State Police Command released emergency contact numbers and said it was prepared to ensure security throughout the festive season.
NIM
