Operatives of Dragon 14, under the Delta State Police Command, have arrested a suspected gunrunner with a shocking cache of firearms and ammunition, including three AK-47 rifles, 2,080 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and an additional 1,040 rounds of 51mm ammunition packed in four boxes.
The suspect, Peter James, 55, a native of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, was apprehended on March 3, 2025, at around 12:00 p.m. while officers were on stop-and-search duty along the Warri–Benin Road near Western Delta University, Oghara.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, and made available to Akelicious on Monday, the operatives intercepted a blue Toyota Camry, popularly known as “Big Daddy,” with registration number PHC 257 NT, driven by the suspect.
“The driver was asked to open the trunk of the vehicle, during which it was observed that the trunk was unusually small. This aroused the suspicion of the officers, who believed the vehicle had been modified for illegal activities,” Edafe stated.
Upon further inspection, the police removed the vehicle’s back seat, where they discovered the hidden arms and ammunition. The suspect is currently in custody as investigations continue.
In a separate operation, operatives from the Dragon Patrol Team 02 intercepted another illegal arms transport on March 6, 2025, around 11:00 a.m., while conducting a stop-and-search along the Asaba–Benin Expressway near the National Open University, Onicha-Ugbo.
The officers stopped a Navy Blue Sharon space bus with registration number DKA 408 LM, driven by 69-year-old Yahuza Magaji and accompanied by 17-year-old Abba Sani, both from Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to Edafe, the suspects disguised themselves as traders transporting palm oil and garri. However, a thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of seven pump-action rifles and five cartons containing 1,600 rounds of live cartridges, all concealed under the back seat.
Preliminary investigations revealed the arms were purchased in Onitsha and were being transported to Kaduna State.
The suspects are currently in custody, and further investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, has directed all tactical commanders, Area Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers to intensify their operations and ensure their jurisdictions become a no-go zone for criminal elements.
