Delta Police Crack Down on Cultists and Gun Runners, Recover Illegal Firearms in Two Major Operations

By Diafa Doubra,

The Delta State Police Command has intensified its campaign against violent crime, arresting suspected cultists and gun runners in separate intelligence-led operations that led to the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition across the state.

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 29, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command disclosed that the arrests were made following credible intelligence reports and discreet investigations carried out by officers under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi.

According to the statement, the first operation took place in Aviara community, under Oleh Division, after a resident reported a video of suspected Eiye cult members that was shared on a WhatsApp group called “Real Men.” Acting swiftly on the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Oleh Division, CSP Keme Osuluku, deployed operatives to investigate the video.

Their efforts led to the arrest of a suspect, Donatus Odovo, age 29, who was linked to the video. Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Zachariah Okeh, age 36, identified as an alleged leader of the Eiye confraternity in Aviara. A search conducted at Okeh’s residence yielded one locally made double-barrel gun, one locally made single-barrel gun, and six live cartridges.

Both suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue to identify and apprehend other members of the cult group.

In another breakthrough, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba–Benin Expressway on October 27, 2025, intercepted a Toyota RAV4 with registration number EPE 189 GN. During a routine search, the officers discovered an envelope containing a fabricated Beretta pistol with four live rounds.

The driver, identified as Mordi Emmanuel, 45, of No. 74 Family Estate, Asaba, was immediately taken into custody. Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed at his residence, where police recovered one pump-action shotgun and four live cartridges.

The suspect and all recovered exhibits are currently in police custody, while investigations continue to trace the source and possible network of the illegal firearms.

CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commended the officers for their professionalism and the public for their vigilance, reaffirming the command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms. He urged residents to remain security-conscious and to provide timely and credible information to the police to help sustain peace and safety across the state.