Police nab 19-year-old Delta student over illegal firearm

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A 19-year-old student of a university in Delta State, DGreat Nwadozie, has claimed that the gun allegedly found in his possession during a stop-and-search operation was purchased for N320,000 for self-protection.

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Nwadozie disclosed this in an interrogation video shared on X by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on Tuesday.

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Edafe had stated that the suspect was apprehended with the firearm at a roundabout in the Asaba area of the state.

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He noted that four suspects were arrested in connection with the recovery and that a search of the prime suspect’s residence led to the recovery of an axe.

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He wrote, “These suspects were caught in possession of a gun recovered by policemen on stop-and-search duty.

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“The main suspect, identified as DGreat, bought the gun in Onitsha for the sum of N350,000 and was preparing to be initiated into the Vikings Confraternity. He is only 19 years old and studying Criminology and Security Studies.”

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Speaking in the interrogation video, Nwadozie said he contacted a man identified as Godwin, who assisted him in purchasing the locally made pistol at a market in Onitsha.

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According to him, he decided to acquire the weapon because of alleged harassment by some Hausas.

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He said, “My name is DGreat Nwadozie. I am 19 years old. I am a student of Osadebe University. I bought the gun for protection from Mr Godwin at the rate of N320,000. He took me to a place where I bought it.

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“I bought it for protection because we are usually disturbed by Hausa people and to collect development fees.”

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When asked whether he was planning to join a cult group, he replied in the affirmative.

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“I am about to be initiated into the Vikings cult group,” he said.

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He, however, expressed remorse over his actions.

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“I feel sorry about it,” he added.

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Edafe concluded the interrogation by warning young people against crime and criminality, stressing that criminal activities often end in imprisonment or death.

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The incident comes amid sustained efforts by security agencies to tackle cult-related violence and the proliferation of illegal firearms across Delta State and other parts of the country.

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PUNCH Metro reports that the Delta State Police Command has, in recent months, intensified stop-and-search operations and intelligence-led raids targeting suspected cultists, kidnappers and armed robbery gangs operating within the state.

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In May, the command arrested 11 suspected cultists and recovered firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons in separate operations across the state.

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Edafe had stated that the operations were part of the command’s intensified crackdown on cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other violent crimes.

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