Delta police recover assault rifles after new CP restructures special team

Abdullateef Fowewe

Delta State Police have recovered two AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun and two locally made firearms following the restructuring of a special operational unit by the state’s new Commissioner of Police.

In a statement on Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe said CP Samuel Etaifo Erale had reorganised the CP Special Assignment team within one week of taking the step.

“Keeping his promise to His Excellency Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori and the good people of Delta State,” Edafe wrote, the commissioner “engages suspected kidnappers, uncovers kidnappers hideout out and armory, recovers Two AK-47 Rifles, one Pump action gun, two locally made cut-to-size guns.”

CP Erale assumed duty as the 25th Commissioner of Police in Delta State in late August 2026, succeeding CP Yemi John Oyeniyi.

Shortly after taking office he unveiled an intelligence-led policing agenda focused on tackling kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, cybercrime and oil-related offences.

He stressed the need for stronger inter-agency cooperation, community policing and a shift from reactive to proactive operations in a state that remains a key economic hub in the Niger Delta.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has repeatedly prioritised security under his MORE Agenda.

In June 2026 he convened a security summit themed “Security: A Collective Responsibility,” strengthened the state’s anti-kidnapping legal framework and restructured Operation Delta Sweep.

He has also pledged continued logistical support to the police through the Delta State Security Trust Fund and has publicly urged the new CP to sustain intelligence-driven operations against illegal arms and violent crime.