Authorities apprehend pair in Delta found with firearms and cocaine

Operatives from the Delta State Police Command made a significant arrest on Saturday, apprehending two suspects and seizing two pistols, live ammunition, suspected cocaine, and other incriminating items during a stop-and-search operation along the Agbarho–Warri Road.

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The arrests were carried out by the Safer Highway Patrol team, as part of the command's intensified efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and drug-related crimes across the state.

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In recent months, the Delta State Police Command has stepped up its intelligence-led operations and highway patrols, aiming to disrupt criminal networks, intercept illegal arms, and combat drug trafficking to improve security across the state.

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A statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, revealed that the suspects, Omini Ezeri, 46, and Chinedum Wagbara, 42, are both residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and were intercepted while travelling in a grey Mercedes-Benz ML SUV with registration number AAA 604 JZ.

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A third occupant of the vehicle, however, escaped during the operation, with the statement noting that the suspects were arrested on 25 July 2026, during a stop-and-search operation along the Agbarho–Warri Road.

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Preliminary interrogation revealed that the third occupant, God Knows Ifreke, suddenly fled into a nearby swamp, prompting a thorough search of the vehicle, which yielded two locally fabricated Beretta pistols loaded with nine rounds of live ammunition.

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The search also uncovered approximately 200 grams of a substance suspected to be cocaine, one walkie-talkie, one dagger, one grinder, and two sophisticated phones, with the suspects currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

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The operation highlights the command's ongoing crackdown on violent crime, illegal firearms, and illicit drug trafficking across Delta State, with the police reaffirming their commitment to ensuring the state remains a hostile environment for criminals.

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Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, praised their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command's commitment to keeping the state safe.

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CP Yemi Oyeniyi, psc, acipm, mnips, urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to aid ongoing efforts to keep the state safe.