Delta Police Intensify Crackdown on Criminal Gangs, Arrest Murder, Cult Suspects
The Delta State Police Command has intensified its offensive against violent crime, arresting key suspects linked to the murder of a commercial motorcyclist in Agbor and the recovery of arms from a suspected cultist in Warri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed both arrests in a statement issued on Thursday and circulated to journalists in Warri.
According to the statement, officers from the Agbor Division launched a search on October 7, 2025, following a report that 53-year-old Friday Orumgbe of Idumu Oza, Agbor, had gone missing after leaving home the previous day with his Lifan motorcycle.
Divisional Police Officer CSP Michael Obekpa ordered an intelligence-driven investigation that led to the arrest of 25-year-old Musa Buhari of Alihagu Village, Agbor, on October 16, 2025. Buhari was found with the victim’s Tecno T101 phone.
During questioning, he confessed that he and an accomplice, identified as Manu Usman (now at large), lured Orumgbe into a bush along Power Line near Oki, Agbor, under the guise of passengers. They allegedly attacked him with a hoe, stole his motorcycle and phone, and left him unconscious.
The DPO later led a team to the crime scene on October 17, 2025, where officers recovered the decomposing remains of the victim. Family members identified the body, which was taken to the Central Hospital Mortuary, Agbor, for autopsy.
Police said Buhari remains in custody while efforts are ongoing to track down his fleeing accomplice.
In a separate operation, a patrol team from ‘B’ Division, Warri, apprehended suspected cult and robbery members during intensified night patrols ordered by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ya’u Kangiwa.
The operation, carried out around 3:00 a.m. on October 19, 2025, targeted the Ubeji community following renewed cult clashes. Officers intercepted a gold-coloured Lexus 350 SUV with registration number KWL359DS (Abuja) and two occupants, 33-year-old Christian Agbajor Akpos and 26-year-old Sophia Thomas.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a locally made cut-to-size double-barreled gun, one battle axe, one live cartridge, and one expended cartridge.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Akpos is a member of both the Maphite Confraternity and the Neo-Black Movement (NBM).
He allegedly admitted receiving the weapon from one Mr. Shimaye, identified as the Deputy Chairman of the Ubeji community.
Both suspects are now in custody, and police are pursuing other members of the syndicate.
Commending the officers for the arrests, Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda said the operations demonstrate the Command’s renewed focus on proactive policing.
“The Command will continue to intensify intelligence-led operations and community-based policing to ensure the safety of lives and property across the State,” Abaniwonda stated.
The Delta Police Command has reported a series of notable successes in recent months, including the arrest of 211 suspects and the recovery of ₦8.5 million ransom money, 18 firearms, and over 350 rounds of ammunition in August 2025.
In October, operatives also intercepted 400 rounds of ammunition at the Asaba Bridge Head and apprehended a suspect during an illegal arms transfer.
