A search of the hideout led to the recovery of a locally made long gun, a cut-to-size gun, and a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition. Officers also recovered 10 live cartridges and a dagger, among other items.

The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Bright Edafe, and made available to journalists in Warri.

According to the statement, the breakthrough followed the handover of a 25-year-old suspect, Dafiaga Timothy of Effurun Community in Uvwie Local Government Area, by the Ororokpe Divisional Police Officer. Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, led by ASP Julius Robinson, intensified interrogation after taking custody of the suspect.

Timothy is alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate responsible for terrorising commuters and residents along the Warri–Sapele Road axis.

Acting on intelligence obtained during interrogation, the suspect reportedly led officers to the concealed armoury in the early hours of February 19, 2026. Police said the recovery of the weapons has significantly disrupted the operational capacity of the gang. Investigations are ongoing.

In a related operation on February 18, 2026, operatives of the Area Command, Warri, intercepted a blue tricycle along the Agbarho–Warri Expressway during a visibility patrol. Two occupants reportedly fled into a nearby bush when officers conducted a lawful search.

The driver, identified as Aliyu Sabo, 25, was arrested. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a locally cut-to-size pistol concealed inside the tricycle, along with one live cartridge and one expended cartridge. Other items recovered included two mobile phones, a Zealot MP3 player, a face mask, and a black bag. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

In another incident, the Divisional Police Officer of Agbor Division led an anti-crime patrol team to Alihame Community, Agbor, following a distress call that hoodlums had invaded Texas Lodge Hostel. The suspects fled on sighting the patrol team, abandoning a locally fabricated pistol and an expended cartridge.

Officers also recovered three mobile phones — an iPhone XR, a Samsung device, and a Tecno touch-light phone — along with an earpod and a power bank. Preliminary investigations have commenced as police intensify efforts to track down the suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, commended the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and rid the state of illegal firearms.