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The Delta State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on illegal firearms and violent crime across the state, with separate intelligence-led operations by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU) leading to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of two pump-action guns, 18 live cartridges and other dangerous items.

The Delta State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the latest operations, carried out in Obiaruku and Isupe Community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, was the command’s renewed efforts to disrupt the circulation of illicit weapons believed to have the potential to fuel cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

According to Edafe, the first operation, operatives of the VCRU, acted on credible intelligence, and stormed a residence in Obiaruku on September 12, 2026, following information that the occupant was allegedly in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He said the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Joel Iwomi of Umuebu, Obiaruku, reportedly resisted the operatives’ attempt to gain access to the premises.

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The police, however, succeeded in gaining entry and subsequently conducted a search of the residence; and during the search, operatives recovered one pump-action gun and 18 live cartridges, he declared.

He said Iwomi was arrested and taken into custody, while investigation has commenced to determine the source of the firearm and ammunition and establish whether the suspect has any links with other criminal networks operating within or outside the community.

In a separate operation conducted on September 9, 2026, operatives of the CACU arrested another suspect, identified as Chukwuka Nzete, also known as “Ododo,” of Isupe Community, Ndokwa West LGA.

The police image maker said Nzete was suspected of involvement in the illegal sale and proliferation of firearms and allegedly operated a shrine where suspected criminal elements were purportedly fortified.

Following his arrest, operatives searched his residence and recovered another pump-action gun, four dagger knives, one battle axe and pots containing substances suspected to be charms.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that the suspect was also taken into custody as detectives commenced investigation aimed at determining the full extent of his alleged activities and identifying possible associates and criminal groups connected to him.

The recovery of the firearms and ammunition has heightened concerns over the availability of illicit weapons in communities, particularly against the backdrop of persistent efforts by security agencies to prevent criminal elements from acquiring arms capable of escalating violent confrontations.

The Delta Police Command said the operations formed part of its intelligence-driven strategy to identify and dismantle sources of illegal firearms before such weapons are deployed in the commission of crimes.

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The sexual offence case involving Nigerian dancer and entertainer Iweh Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, remains active in the United Kingdom, with his plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for September 15, 2026.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed the development in response to an inquiry by PUNCH Online on Saturday.

The CPS Press Office said Odinaka remained scheduled to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15 for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH).

“This case is still live, and Odinaka is still set to appear for a PTPH at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 15 September 2026,” the CPS said.

A PTPH is a pre-trial hearing at which matters relating to a defendant’s plea and preparations for trial are considered.

The CPS clarification followed reports circulating online claiming that Poco Lee had been released from a UK prison and that the complainant had withdrawn from the case or that the matter had been settled out of court.

However, the CPS did not clarify whether Odinaka had been released from custody or remained on remand.

PUNCH Online also contacted Snaresbrook Crown Court for clarification on his current custody or bail status but was yet to receive a response at the time of the report.

Odinaka is facing five sexual offence charges in the UK — attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.

Snaresbrook Crown Court had previously confirmed that the case was listed for a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 15.

The court also imposed a reporting restriction to protect the anonymity of the complainant under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

The case followed Odinaka’s visit to the UK in August for the Davido and Friends concert held at Crystal Palace Bowl in London on August 14.

Odinaka has not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against him are yet to be determined by the court.

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The Ondo State Government, on Wednesday, confirmed the deaths of 24 residents of Odigbo Local Government Area of the state following the consumption of a herbal liquid substance.

No fewer than 24 residents of two communities in the council area, Araromi Obu and Odigbo town, reportedly lost their lives after consuming the substance.

The incident, which was said to have occurred on Saturday, has thrown the affected communities into mourning.

A source in the area who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the deceased consumed the substance at different locations on Saturday but later became unconscious, leading to their deaths. At the same time, some others who also consumed it were rushed to hospitals.

The source said, “They (the deceased) drank the herbal substance and started dying. Eight people died in Araromi Obu while 16 others lost their lives in Odigbo town, but we have yet to confirm if it was what they drank that killed them. But we are sure that the people died after drinking the herbal drinks.

“Some of the people died in their sleep while some died when they got home, and many are still in the hospital as I am talking to you.”

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, said the deceased consumed the substance before the incident, adding that they were waiting for a medical team to carry out an autopsy to determine the actual cause of the deaths.

Adegoroye said, “We can confirm the death of 24 people, eight in Araromi Obu and 16 in Odigbo town, and many are still on admission at hospitals. But we have yet to ascertain the cause of the deaths, and we are still waiting for the team from the state Ministry of Health to carry out the test on the deceased. That is why we can’t specifically say the real cause.”

The chairman also said he had banned the sale and consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks in the area as a precautionary measure.

According to him, a preliminary verbal autopsy conducted by the local government health team indicated a possible link between the reported deaths and the consumption of the substances.

In the same vein, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, also confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, saying investigations were underway to establish the actual cause of the deaths.

Ajaka did not immediately disclose the specific substance suspected to have caused the deaths but said medical and health officials would conduct further assessments in the affected communities.

“The government is taking the matter seriously, and we will provide more details after the ongoing investigation has established the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Meanwhile, some youths in the town staged a mini protest to the palace of the Odigbo traditional ruler to demand explanations and urgent measures to prevent further loss of life.

Addressing the youths, the monarch of the town, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, appealed for calm and assured them that efforts would be made to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths and find a lasting solution to the situation.