₦airaland Forum

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Delta State have intercepted a cache of sophisticated weapons allegedly destined for criminal gangs terrorising Asaba and neighbouring communities.

The intelligence-led operation, conducted on October 12, 2025, within the Asaba metropolis, led to the arrest of Stephen Sabo Atoshi, a notorious arms dealer, and his accomplice, a 40-year-old secondary school teacher from Taraba State.

Briefing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday, the Deputy Director of Operations, DSS Delta Command, Anthony Ifemeje, said the suspects were part of a network that trafficked small arms and light weapons from southern Libya through Chad into Nigeria via illegal borders in Yobe State.

“During interrogation, the prime suspect confessed to having spent eight years in the illegal trade and supplied over 55 weapons, including General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and AK-47 rifles, across the country,” Ifemeje said.

Weapons Hidden in Bags of Beans From the North

The DSS said the intercepted consignment was concealed in bags of beans being transported to the Oko Food Market along the Asaba–Onitsha Expressway.

Recovered items include:

Seven (7) General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs)

Several AK-47 rifles

Five (5) hand grenades

Hundreds of rounds of live ammunition

Other military-grade weapons

Also recovered were 497 cartons of counterfeit drugs intended for illegal distribution within Delta State.

Ifemeje assured that the DSS would continue to intensify surveillance, cut off arms supply routes, and dismantle trafficking networks threatening public safety.

Governor Oborevwori Orders Crackdown on Criminal Networks

Reacting to the development, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori praised the DSS for what he described as a “major breakthrough” in the state’s security efforts.

“This operation marks a decisive victory against those trying to destabilize Delta. I commend the DSS for their bravery and professionalism,” the governor said.

He directed security agencies to launch an immediate crackdown on criminal syndicates operating across the state, warning that his administration will not tolerate any individual or group attempting to undermine peace.

Speaking on the recent killing of Jerry Aduara, a youth leader from Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, the governor vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.

“I have directed the security agencies to arrest whoever shot and killed somebody in Warri. Nobody involved will go scot-free because this is Delta State, and we want peace,” he said.

Governor Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace, unity, and development, emphasizing that Delta must remain a safe haven for investors and residents.

Source: The Bureau News
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These sahel people wan take over Asaba?

Hmm..nawa o. Smuggling of weapons is almost now the order of the day

Na who never fall victim go believe them,

What goes around comes around… a time will come when state governors will start governing the affairs of their states from Aso Rock due to insecurity… then the president will be running Nigeria from France or London.

Continue playing politics of tribalism, na Una e go tire for that country

A particular region are seriously preparing for war.

Northerner are the ones terrorizing the whole country.

Alepo ! !

Customs and immigrations have truly failed this nation.

Not absolving the myriad of police checkpoints and roadblocks littered across the country in the web of organized failure and collision.

mariovito:
These sahel people wan take over Asaba?

It's happening gradually, Madridguy go soon touch IDP for Cotonou 🤷🏿

The level of kidnapping and robbery's happening in Delta North is too much, you have northerners and south east boy playing major role in this criminal activities.

the storm is coming lets be prepared

Gotocourt:
It's happening gradually, Madridguy go soon touch IDP for Cotonou 🤷🏿

abeg how many characters of laugh I need again?

My concern is that at times those cases does not end logically

PUNANI01:
Northerner are the ones terrorizing the whole country.

each state should provide a toll gate to scan and screen people and goods entering there states otherwise we are not serious about insecurity. Northern Nigeria 🇳🇬 I hell o

These belongs to Fulani herdsmen terrorists base in Asaba

madridguy:
A particular region are seriously preparing for war.

I guess those regions are the Fulanis and APC supported terrorist from wasted states.

NURTW Lagos branch are leading example and representative from wasted States

Oti RED.

IPOB is on the beat, October what??

Lanre1st:
Oti RED.

IPOB is on the beat, October what??

Yup, them quick to type out Northerner this or that and Fulani herdsmen this or that. It happens on the regular.

Something is wrong with Nigeria on all levels.

madridguy:
A particular region are seriously preparing for war.

No be so Ojukwu prepared the other time? They should ask their elders the outcome.

If they were too young then, I believe they see how it went between Isreal and Hamas. Don't start what you can not end

Today Asaba will be Alaigbo just watch!!

PUNANI01:
Northerner are the ones terrorizing the whole country.

instead of blaming custom & Immigration that gave a passage door.. If ur own state resist, they won't have their ways.. Thru Chad, there's a basin wer Navy are situated. We've NIS & CUSTOM & NSCDC also, but they all failed to check loads.. Na how to chop clearance duty dem sabi

madridguy:
A particular region are seriously preparing for war.

Is it the same region that have taken kwara and ondo?

Second hand guns. I wonder who the first users were

Thank God for exposing these evil people, this is the area our security agencies should really work on more, cutting off supply chain of arms and ammunition. If the government can tackle proliferation of arms and ammunition the insecurities in the country will be highly reduced.

floss:
What goes around comes around… a time will come when state governors will start governing the affairs of their states from Aso Rock due to insecurity… then the president will be running Nigeria from France or London.

Continue playing politics of tribalism, na Una e go tire for that country

Please at least, try and make sense.

Nigeria is a crime scene.

You can see the difference in weapons. Our northern brothers don't go into action with makeshift arms. They go for the real deal.
These are the real weapons of state destabilisation, not those "pump action" riffles that the Nigerian Customs use for propaganda materials

How do these weapons enter the country? We no get customs and immigration again? What is their job?

The heads of customs and immigration should be fired! They are sleeping on duty.

Great job. But what about seizing weapins going to Fulani bandits and other terrorists in the North?

NaijaRealtor:
Source: The Bureau News
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E2000:
Second hand guns. I wonder who the first users were

Some bad guys I guess.
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