Delta State Police Command Debunks Viral Claims of Suspect’s Death at Ekpan Station, Warns Against Falsehoods

Delta State Police Command dismisses claims of a suspect's death at Ekpan Station as fake news, confirming 270 arrests were made in recent raids without casualties.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 11:06 AM EDT

Dismissal of Social Media Allegations

The Delta State Police Command has officially characterized reports of a death in custody at the Ekpan Police Station as "false, baseless, and misleading." In a statement released on Saturday, March 28, 2026, the Command addressed a viral post circulated by a self-described activist, Israel Joe. The post had alleged that an "innocent sick person" arrested during recent police activities had died while in custody, further calling for public protests and the redeployment of key operational officers. State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, firmly rejected these claims, stating that at no point has any suspect died in Ekpan or any other part of the state under similar circumstances.

Context of the Coordinated Raids

The Command explained that the misinformation appears to be a reaction to a large-scale, coordinated security operation conducted between March 25 and March 26, 2026. Led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the tactical raids targeted notorious criminal hideouts across Ughelli and Warri. The exercise resulted in the apprehension of over 270 individuals, including high-profile wanted cultists and suspected drug traffickers. Significant quantities of illicit substances were also recovered during the sweep, which police describe as a major victory in the ongoing effort to sanitize the state’s urban centers.

Screening Processes and Suspect Welfare

To address concerns regarding the legality of the mass arrests, the police emphasized that a rigorous screening process was implemented immediately following the raids. According to the official statement, individuals who were found not to be culpable were promptly released. Those who remain in custody are reportedly being held in "good condition" pending further investigation or court appearances. The Command maintains that the welfare of detainees is a priority and that the "sick person" narrative was a fabrication designed to incite emotional public responses and erode trust in law enforcement agencies.