Police nab firearms fabricator in Delta

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State have arrested a 59-year-old man, Friday Ojei, for allegedly operating an illegal firearm manufacturing depot in Emuhu community, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Police authorities said the suspect was apprehended during a raid carried out by operatives of the Raiders Squad of the Delta State Police Command following credible intelligence.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, the operation took place in the early hours of March 6, 2026, at about 5:00 a.m., when officers stormed the suspected illegal facility in Emuhu community.

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Edafe said the raid was led by the Commander of the Raiders Squad, Akanya Agbogha, during which the suspect was arrested and several items used for the production of firearms were recovered.

Items recovered from the site include four locally fabricated guns, one welding machine, one drilling machine, one grinding machine, and assorted metal pipes suspected to have been used in the fabrication of firearms.

The police spokesperson said the suspect is currently in custody while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the illegal firearm production network.

In a separate operation, police also arrested a 43-year-old woman, Esther Etafo, in connection with the recovery of various quantities of suspected hard drugs at a premises along Oruworowh Road in Udu Local Government Area of the state.

Edafe explained that operatives of the Ovwian-Aladja Police Station carried out the raid based on credible intelligence regarding illicit drug activities in the area. The operation was led by the Divisional Crime Officer in collaboration with members of the Anti-Cult Volunteer Group.

During the raid, officers recovered different substances suspected to be hard drugs, including cannabis, kolos, ice, loud, and fermented Indian hemp. Three blenders believed to be used in processing the substances were also recovered, alongside the sum of ₦55,000 suspected to be proceeds from the illicit drug trade.

Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Aina Adesola, commended the professionalism and vigilance displayed by the operatives involved.

He also urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to aid ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.