A 19-year-old undergraduate in Delta State has been arrested by the police for allegedly possessing an illegal firearm, with the suspect admitting that he purchased the weapon for personal protection and was preparing to join a cult group.
The suspect, identified as DGreat Nwadozie, made the disclosure during an interrogation session captured in a video shared on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe.
According to Edafe, the suspect was apprehended during a stop-and-search operation at a roundabout in Asaba.
He added that four suspects were arrested in connection with the firearm recovery.
The police spokesman also revealed that a follow-up search at the principal suspect’s residence led to the recovery of an axe.
“These suspects were arrested with a firearm recovered by policemen on stop-and-search duty.
The main suspect, DGreat, purchased the gun in Onitsha and was preparing for initiation into the Vikings confraternity.
He is 19 years old and a student of Criminology and Security Studies,” Edafe stated.
During the interrogation, Nwadozie said he obtained the locally fabricated pistol through a man identified as Godwin, who allegedly facilitated the purchase at a market in Onitsha.
The suspect claimed he bought the firearm for self-defence, alleging that he had been subjected to harassment and demands for payments by some individuals.
“I am DGreat Nwadozie, 19 years old and a student of Osadebe University. I bought the gun through Mr Godwin, who took me to where I purchased it for N320,000. I got it for protection,” he said.
When questioned about reports linking him to cult activities, the student admitted that he was about to undergo initiation into the Vikings confraternity.
“I was preparing to be initiated into the Vikings cult group,” he confessed.
The suspect, however, expressed regret over his actions.
Reacting to the incident, Edafe warned young people against engaging in criminal activities, noting that unlawful conduct often results in imprisonment, injury or death.
The arrest comes amid intensified efforts by the Delta State Police Command to combat cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other violent crimes across the state.
In recent months, security operatives have stepped up intelligence-led operations and stop-and-search exercises targeting suspected cultists, kidnappers and armed robbery suspects.
The command had earlier announced the arrest of several suspected cult members and the recovery of firearms and ammunition in separate operations aimed at curbing violent crime in the state.