Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Asaba, Nigeria — Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 63 Brigade/Sector 1, Joint Task Force South‑South (Operation Delta Safe) have dealt a significant blow to organised crime in Delta State, arresting members of a notorious criminal gang and recovering an arsenal of weapons and ammunition, authorities confirmed on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
In a coordinated, intelligence‑led operation in Oshimili North Local Government Area, soldiers intercepted the gang following credible tips from local sources about their involvement in violent criminal activity, including arms trafficking, robbery and other serious offences. The identities of the suspects have not yet been fully disclosed pending further investigation, but several individuals were taken into custody during the raid.
During the operation, security forces seized a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and war‑ready gear. Among the items recovered were 13 pump‑action rifles, assorted live rounds, and other implements believed to have been used to terrorise communities and facilitate violent acts across the region.
Officials described the bust as part of an ongoing push to dismantle criminal networks that have thrived in parts of the Niger Delta, where illegal bunkering, cultism, arms proliferation, and armed robbery have long undermined public safety and local economies. Army commanders emphasised that the success was the result of effective intelligence gathering and improved collaboration with local vigilante groups and residents who provided actionable information.
The presence of such gangs, particularly those with access to firearms and organised structures, has been a persistent challenge for security agencies operating in Delta State and the wider South‑South region. Previous operations by military and police forces have targeted similar syndicates, leading to arrests, recovery of arms, and disruption of criminal enterprises, but analysts say sustained pressure is essential to prevent the resurgence of outlaw elements.
Operation Delta Safe, launched years ago as part of the federal government’s broader security architecture for the Niger Delta, integrates Army units with other security agencies to tackle a range of threats, including oil theft, pipeline vandalism, kidnappings, and violent cult gang activities. The recent bust is expected to complement these efforts and reinforce the message that criminality will not find safe harbour in the region.
Security sources indicate that interrogations are underway to determine the gang’s connections to other criminal networks and to trace the origins of the firearms recovered. Army officials vowed to maintain operational momentum and to continue exploiting credible intelligence to track and apprehend other criminal elements.
Community leaders in Oshimili North and neighbouring areas welcomed the development, saying it reflects growing responsiveness by security forces to grassroots concerns about perpetrators who have previously acted with impunity. Residents expressed hope that the arrests would lead to a reduction in violent crime and encourage greater cooperation with security agencies.
The operation comes amid broader efforts by the Nigerian Army and allied agencies to clamp down on organised crime across the country. In recent months, similar security campaigns have led to the arrest of suspects involved in kidnapping, cultism, and gun‑running, as well as the recovery of weapons and ammunition in other states.
As investigations continue, the Army reassured the public that further updates will be provided through official channels, and urged citizens to continue supporting information‑sharing initiatives that enhance community safety.
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