The Delta State Police Command has recovered military camouflage uniforms, firearms, suspected Tramadol, and other illicit drugs from five arrested suspects in a separate operations in Asaba and Issele-Uku.

The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO SP Bright Edafe who confirmed development said the arrest followed intensified intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU) against illicit drugs, cultism and the proliferation of illegal firearms.

In the first operation, operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), Asaba, on Friday, September 18, 2026, intercepted a Toyota Sienna allegedly conveying suspected illicit drugs and military accoutrements from Onitsha towards Ondo State.

The operation followed credible intelligence received by the Police concerning the movement of the vehicle and its suspected consignment.

The operatives subsequently mounted surveillance along the anticipated route and, at about 4:50 a.m., intercepted a green Toyota Sienna with registration number KP 527 AAA.

The vehicle was being driven by Isaac Urji, 45, a native of Abia State. A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered cartons containing suspected Tramadol and other suspected illicit drugs, alongside military camouflage uniforms, boots and military-style hats.

The driver was immediately arrested and taken into police custody, while the recovered items were secured as exhibits.

 

The Police said investigation had commenced to establish the source of the drugs and military accoutrements, their intended destination and the identities of other persons who may be connected with the consignment.

The Command said detectives were working to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the movement of the consignment from Onitsha through Delta towards Ondo State.

Edafe said another operation carried out on September 15, 2026, the Divisional Police Officer, Issele-Uku Division, mobilised a combined security team following intelligence that suspected cultists were operating around Ogboli Quarter and other parts of Issele-Uku.

The operation involved personnel of the Police Anti-Cult Unit, local vigilantes, hunters and Forest Security operatives.

The combined team conducted a cordon-and-search operation in the identified areas, leading to the arrest of four suspected cultists.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of two locally made pistols, one pump-action gun and six live cartridges.

The suspects are currently assisting the Police with investigation as authorities seek to establish their alleged links with cult activities and determine whether the recovered firearms had been used or intended for criminal operations.

The two operations bring to five the number of suspects arrested in the separate incidents, while the recoveries underscore the Command’s continuing focus on intelligence gathering and coordinated operations against criminal networks.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, reiterated the Command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state.

Erale therefore urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to the Police, stressing that information supplied by members of the public would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The Commissioner assured residents that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence, surveillance and coordinated security operations to disrupt criminal activities and prevent the movement of illicit drugs and illegal weapons through the state.