The Division of State Companies, DSS, in Delta State has intercepted a cache of sophisticated weapons in Asaba, the state capital. The operation, which passed off on October 12, 2025, throughout the Asaba metropolis, led to the arrest of a infamous arms vendor, recognized as Stephen Sabo Atoshi, and his confederate, a 40-year-old secondary faculty instructor from Taraba State.
The Deputy Director of Operations of the Delta State Command of the DSS, Mr Anthony Ifemeje, whereas briefing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday in Asaba, revealed that the suspects have been a part of a community trafficking small arms and lightweight weapons from Sebha in southern Libya by means of Chad into Nigeria through an unlawful border in Geidam, Yobe State.
Ifemeje disclosed that “throughout interrogation, the prime suspect confessed to garnering eight years in the unlawful commerce and to having equipped over 55 weapons, together with basic objective machine weapons and AK-47 rifles, throughout the nation.”
He assured the federal government of the command’s continued vigilance and willpower to chop off arms provide routes and dismantle legal networks working in Delta.
Objects recovered included seven basic objective machine weapons, a number of AK-47 rifles, 5 hand grenades, and different military-grade weapons, some hid in baggage of beans transported from the North to the Oko Meals Market alongside the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway. The DSS additionally uncovered 497 cartons of faux medication supposed for distribution throughout the state.
In his response, Governor Oborevwori ordered a complete crackdown on legal networks following the interception. The governor, who gave the directive, counseled the company for what he described as a significant breakthrough in the state’s sustained struggle towards insecurity.
He praised the DSS and different safety businesses for his or her “strategic intelligence, coordination, and willpower,” which led to the restoration of the arms, including that the success mirrored Delta State’s robust dedication to peace and public security.
The governor warned that his administration wouldn’t tolerate any type of insecurity or lawlessness, significantly in Warri and its environs.
“Bringing in heavy arms and ammunition of this nature is unacceptable and a direct risk to our collective peace. We won’t permit it beneath any circumstance,” he careworn, urging residents to cooperate with safety businesses to maintain the state secure.
“I’m very delighted to be right here at present. I needed to go away one other necessary engagement to be right here as a result of the breakthrough recorded by our safety businesses is extremely commendable and vital to the peace and security of our state,” Oborevwori mentioned.
“Those that are planning to trigger crises ought to have a rethink: we would like peace, not bother. We’re working tirelessly to open up Warri for buyers and financial progress, however the place there may be violence, buyers will keep away,” he cautioned.
Oborevwori additionally warned that anybody concerned in killings, violence, or arms smuggling can be tracked down and prosecuted. He careworn that Delta State remained a peaceable and investor-friendly state and vowed to withstand any try to destabilise it.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to sustaining peace and making certain that no particular person or group “takes regulation into their very own arms”, emphasising Delta’s deal with unity, growth, and safety.
