Delta Police nab couple for alleged gun running, recover firearms

Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team of the Delta State Police Command have apprehended a couple, Joshua Bogbon Godwell and his wife, Uche Joshua, in Okpe Local Government Area for their alleged involvement in gun running.  

Acting on credible intelligence, officers stormed their residence on March 9, 2025, at about 2:30 pm, recovering a fabricated Beretta pistol with a single live round intended for delivery to a client in Sapele.

Confirming the arrest on Thursday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated, “Following a well-coordinated sting operation, our officers arrested the couple in Okpe LGA and recovered a locally fabricated Beretta pistol in their possession. The wife, Uche Joshua, admitted to being the dispatcher of illegal arms for her husband.”

According to police reports, Uche Joshua confessed to delivering multiple firearms at her husband’s direction to various clients in Warri and Sapele.

Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Junior Moses Ogedegbe, 30, from the Useifurun community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, believed to be part of the syndicate.

“Our operatives are intensifying efforts to recover more arms and apprehend other members of the gang,” Edafe added.

In a separate operation, CP-SAT operatives arrested suspected cultists and armed robbers in different parts of the state, recovering two pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol, one cut-to-size gun, and 24 live cartridges.

Edafe disclosed, “On February 3, 2025, at about 1:45 pm, operatives, acting on intelligence, arrested a wanted cultist and gun runner, Stephen Oma Odu, 25, of Obagho community, Warri North LGA, in Sapele town. His confession led to the arrest of Abel Festus, aka Tompolo, 42, of Oghareki community, Ethiope West LGA.”

He further revealed, “A search of Festus’ apartment led to the recovery of two pump-action guns and 24 live cartridges. Two other suspected cultists, Godspower Moses, also known as Power, and Oloriode Owebe, 24, were also apprehended during the raid.”

The police spokesman added that preliminary investigations identified the suspects as members of the Vikings Confraternity, and further probes were ongoing.

In another development, CP-SAT operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper and internet fraudster in Mosogar and its environs, recovering a cut-to-size gun.

“On March 9, 2025, at about 6:30 am, our officers raided Jesse and Mosogar towns, leading to the arrest of Festus Oboyo, 26, of Igbopa community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of his residence uncovered a locally made gun with a single cartridge and an FBI impersonation document carrying his picture, which he allegedly used for online fraud,” Edafe stated.

Further investigations led to the arrest of two suspected accomplices, Favor Omowo, also known as Voltage, 29, of Jesse town, and Gift Omowo, 26, of Jesse community.

“The trail of other fleeing gang members is ongoing, and we will not rest until all criminal elements are brought to justice,” Edafe said.