Troops of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1, Joint Task Force (JTF), South South, Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), have arrested a suspected cultist, Stephen Fragene Pessu, and neutralized another gang member during an operation in Pessu Community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, confirmed the development in a statement on September 19, 2025.
Pessu, arrested on Thursday, reportedly confessed to being part of a gang notorious for terrorizing the community. He also provided intelligence on their operations, including multiple kidnapping-for-ransom incidents supported by proof of ransom payments.
Follow-up operations led to an exchange of gunfire, resulting in the death of another gang member, identified as Mr. Dele, and the recovery of a pump-action rifle.
Troops are continuing to search the area to apprehend other gang members and recover their weapons.
Commending the troops, Brigadier MA Shonibare, Commander of 63 Brigade/Sector 1, urged them to sustain the pressure on criminal elements and reassured residents of Delta State that adequate measures are in place to ensure their safety.
