Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a couple, Joshua Bogbon Godwell and Uche Joshua, in Okpe Local Government Area, over alleged involvement in gun running activities.
Acting on credible intelligence, police stormed the couple’s residence on March 9, 2025, and recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol with live ammunition intended for delivery to a client in Sapele.
Confirming the arrests, 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 the police, Uche confessed she had “delivered several arms as directed by her husband to various clients within Warri and Sapele.”
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Junior Moses Ogedegbe, 30, from Useifurun community in Ughelli South LGA, who is suspected of belonging to the same gun-running syndicate.
“Our operatives are intensifying efforts to recover more arms and apprehend other members of the gang,” Edafe added.
In a separate operation targeting cultists and armed robbers, police recovered two pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol, a 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.”
“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,” he further revealed.
Preliminary investigations have identified the arrested individuals as members of the Vikings Confraternity, with investigations still ongoing.
In another related incident, operatives apprehended suspected kidnappers and internet fraudsters in Mosogar and surrounding communities, recovering a cut-to-size gun.
Edafe reported, “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.”
Following this arrest, two suspected accomplices, Favor Omowo, also known as Voltage, 29, and Gift Omowo, 26, both from Jesse town, were apprehended.
“The trail of other fleeing gang members is ongoing, and we will not rest until all criminal elements are brought to justice,” Edafe concluded.
