The Delta State Police Command has launched an intensified assault on kidnapping, violent crime, illegal arms trafficking and drug offences, with the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) emerging as the spearhead of a renewed security drive under the state’s new Commissioner of Police, Mr Aina Adesola.
Barely days after Mr Adesola assumed office as the 23rd Commissioner of Police in Delta State, the CP-SAT unit, led by ASP Julius Robinson, has recorded a string of operational successes that police say underline a tougher, intelligence-led approach to law enforcement.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing on January 7, 2026, the Commissioner detailed a series of coordinated operations carried out across Delta and neighbouring states, resulting in multiple arrests, the recovery of high-grade firearms and ammunition, and the disruption of organised criminal networks long accused of terrorising communities.
At the heart of the campaign has been CP-SAT, a specialised unit tasked with high-risk operations against kidnapping rings, armed robbery gangs and gun runners. According to police, the unit’s most significant breakthrough followed weeks of sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering targeting a notorious inter-state kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate operating across Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives under the direction of ASP Robinson extended investigations to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. On December 29, 2025, they arrested one Abubakar Mohammed, described as a key figure within the syndicate. Police sources said the arrest marked a turning point in the operation.
Following what officers described as “intensive interrogation”, the suspect led CP-SAT operatives to a concealed bush location along Tobia Village, near the Amasoma area of Airport Road in Bayelsa State. There, officers unearthed a cache of weapons buried underground and carefully wrapped in a sack. Recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, 76 rounds of live ammunition and two AK-47 magazines.
The investigation did not end there. On January 2, 2026, at about 6.01pm, Mohammed again guided operatives to a second hidden arms dump located in Uyamuge Forest along the Ughelli–Warri axis. This time, police recovered a K-2 rifle, 49 rounds of live ammunition, three K-2 magazines, a pump-action gun and 32 live cartridges. The suspect remains in custody, while further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the network.
In another major operation, CP-SAT operatives clashed with suspected kidnappers in Ohoror community along the Ughelli–Patani road on January 6. Acting on intelligence reports, the team moved swiftly to the area, where the suspects reportedly opened fire on sight. A gun battle ensued, during which one of the suspects sustained critical gunshot injuries.
A search of the area led to the recovery of a K-2 rifle, two locally made guns and live ammunition concealed in a bag. The injured suspect was rushed to hospital but was later confirmed dead by the attending doctor. Police said a manhunt is under way for other members of the gang who escaped during the confrontation.
The CP-SAT also recorded success against illegal arms trafficking in Ughelli town. On January 3, operatives acting on actionable intelligence carried out a sting operation at Ovieta Street, leading to the arrest of three suspects allegedly involved in an illicit arms transaction.
Those arrested were identified as Areuro Oke, 38, said to be the intended buyer of a pump-action gun; Onos Echabor, 47, allegedly acting as the middleman; and Akpofure Emmanuel, 45. All three are residents of Ughelli North and Ughelli South Local Government Areas. Officers recovered a pump-action gun and ₦280,000 in cash, believed to be part payment for the weapon. Investigations are continuing.
Beyond firearms and kidnapping, the police command has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse, which officials say fuels much of the state’s violent crime. On January 3 and 5, operatives of the Quick Response Squad raided known drug hotspots at New Road by Ewereto Junction in Sapele and at Agofure Park near Effurun Roundabout in Warri.
During the raids, several suspected drug barons were arrested, including Bemigho Omoghomi, 28, and Onoriode Samuel, 46, alongside two others. Large quantities of illicit drugs were recovered, and all suspects remain in custody pending the conclusion of investigations.
In a related operation, officers from Area Command Effurun stormed the shop of a suspected drug dealer along the Sapele–Warri road. The suspect, identified as Chioma Ada Ifuwe Wanogho, was arrested after police recovered 45 wraps of substances believed to be “loud” and SK, as well as a bag of dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. Police said the suspect had allegedly been involved in the trade for about four years.
Mr Adesola said the recent successes reflected a deliberate strategy to reposition the Delta State Police Command through professionalism, intelligence-driven operations and decisive leadership. He praised the dedication of CP-SAT operatives and their commander, ASP Julius Robinson, describing their work as “central to our resolve to dismantle criminal networks wherever they exist”.
“The Delta State Police Command under my leadership reassures members of the public of our unwavering commitment to combating kidnapping, violent crime, the proliferation of illegal firearms and other criminal vices,” the Commissioner said.
He urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely, useful and credible information, stressing that public cooperation remained vital to sustaining recent gains. At the same time, he issued a warning to criminal elements that all forms of criminality would be met with firm, lawful and decisive action.
Parents and community leaders, he added, also had a role to play by monitoring and guiding young people away from crime, as the command intensifies efforts to restore security and public confidence across Delta State.
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