DELTA POLICE ARREST MORE THAN 600 SUSPECTS, RECOVER 27 AK-47 RIFLES

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BY EJIOFOR ALERO

The Delta State Police have arrested more than 627 people and found 144 guns, including 27 AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, in one year.

The Commissioner of Police for Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, shared this information on Monday at the police office in Asaba.

He said, “I’m glad you’re here for this update, which is meant to show the work and progress we’ve made with the Delta State Police Command since January 2025.
As the Commissioner of Police, it’s my job to tell the public about our efforts and the steps we’re taking to keep people safe and protect their property.

“In line with the goals of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to create a safe, peaceful, and crime–free nation, I’ve asked our officers to stay active, professional, and fully dedicated to protecting lives and property throughout the state.”

“This commitment has, within the year under review, resulted in the arrest of over 627 suspects, recovery of 144 firearms, comprising 27 AK-47/AK-49 rifles, 25 Beretta pistols, 56 single-barreled and locally fabricated cut-to-size guns, 6,930 rounds of ammunition/cartridges, among others, significantly degrading the operational capacity of criminal elements.”

He added, “The Command recorded the arrest of over 627 suspects, which includes one 140 suspected armed robbers,113 suspected kidnappers,125 murder suspects,187 suspected cultists, 62 suspects arrested for rape and defilement offences, and 36 million ransom recovered within the period under review.

“Within the period under review, the Command adopted a proactive, intelligence-driven and community-centred policing strategy, working with sister security agencies and community stakeholders (Vigilante, Anti-cult volunteers, PCRC, CSOs, traditional rulers, etc) to sustain targeted operations against criminal networks.”

Olufemi said that the main people suspected in the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu have been caught.

He explained that the terrible murder happened on November 24, 2025, at the Justice’s home.
Based on solid information, on December 6, 2025, officers from the Homicide Section, State CID, Asaba, arrested Godwin Mngumi, who was 25 years old and worked as a security guard at the deceased’s house.

He added that the suspect had one of the late Justice’s mobile phones and, when questioned, willingly confessed and said he invited his partner in crime, Nnaji Obalum, who was 21 years old, to carry out the murder.

“The suspects confessed that on November 23, 2025, they, alongside a third suspect currently at large, entered the home of the deceased, tied her with a rope and cloth, and murdered her. They thereafter stole her valuables, including two phones and a wristwatch, which they disposed of for a meagre sum. One of the stolen phones has been recovered in Ogbogonogo market, Asaba. Investigation is ongoing.”

On Saturday, the Enugu State Police Command shared that six people suspected of being part of a cult were arrested in the state.

The police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, explained that the suspects were caught by the Anti-Cultism Unit while trying to make others join the Supreme Vikings Confraternity through forced initiation.