Troops from 63 Brigade under Operation Delta Safe arrested 13 suspected criminals, including cultists and a native doctor, while recovering 13 pump-action rifles in Oshimili North LGA, Delta State. The intelligence-driven raids in Ibusa, Umuisiagba, and Ite-Ego communities dismantled a notorious gang terrorizing locals, handing suspects to authorities for prosecution.
Initial arrests of two cult members yielded two rifles, escalating to five from vigilantes and eight more in follow-ups, totaling 13 weapons plus ammo. Named suspects like Nwaokonta Elvis, Obi Victor Woke, and native doctor Ndibuisi Obiogonna face cultism and arms charges amid Delta's oil-rich insecurity belt. Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. M.A. Shonibare praised vigilance, vowing sustained sweeps.
This haul complements nationwide Army ops rescuing 31 kidnap victims across Zamfara, Kogi, and others, mirroring Edo doctor's abduction response and Niger school risks. Delta raids curb proliferation fueling kidnappings, paralleling Shehu Sani's migration ban fears from crime waves.
Troops dominate South-South routes, neutralizing threats amid Wike-Fubara political fires and national banditry spikes into 2026. Operations signal Tinubu's security push, boosting confidence post-New Year attacks while arms cache seizures weaken criminal networks.