*Orders Crackdown on Criminal Networks as DSS Intercepts Heavy Arms Cache, wants killers of Warri Youth Leader Arrested
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has said his administration abolished the arbitrary upward review of contract sums in order to promote accountability, ensure value for money, and protect public resources in the state.
Governor Oborevwori made the disclosure on Monday at the thanksgiving service marking the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Delta State Judiciary, held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, High Court Road, Asaba.
According to him, the era when contractors could freely seek variations and arbitrary adjustments to contract sums after agreements had been signed, was over.
“We have ended the old practice of arbitrary review of contract sums and variations after agreements have been signed,” Oborevwori said.
“Today, every state contract contains a clause that prevents such adjustments, and no contractor receives payment without a duly executed agreement. This is a major step toward transparency and responsible financial management in line with the Delta State Public Procurement Law of 2020.”
The governor said the move was part of a broader commitment under his MORE Agenda — Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security- to strengthen good governance and uphold fiscal discipline.
He noted that the government’s partnership with the legislature had also yielded landmark laws in the electricity and health sectors, among others, as part of efforts to deepen the rule of law and transparency in governance.
“Our efforts in justice infrastructure, procurement, and law-making reflect our belief that democracy thrives best when there is synergy among the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary,” the governor stated.
Oborevwori, who took the first reading from Isaiah 32:15–18, reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to sustain the independence of the judiciary, enhance its infrastructure, and make justice more accessible and efficient.
Highlighting his administration’s reforms in the public service, the governor recalled the approval of a 158 percent increase in Delta’s minimum wage regime in October 2024, surpassing the Federal Government’s 133 percent, as part of its efforts to motivate workers and strengthen institutional efficiency.
He also disclosed that over ₦70 billion had been released to clear outstanding state pension arrears, including a fresh ₦10 billion intervention to the State Pensions Board, with an additional ₦2 billion released monthly to sustain payments.
On social welfare, Oborevwori said the government had launched a Widows’ Welfare Scheme, providing free healthcare and monthly stipends to 10,000 widows across the state, describing it as a reflection of the human face of his MORE Agenda.
He also listed several youth empowerment programmes such as MORE Grant Scheme, MORE WISE-Up, MORE ICT, and MORE Peace-Up, which are helping thousands of small businesses and artisans become self-reliant and economically active.
Prospecting the future, Governor Oborevwori pledged continued investment in judicial infrastructure and technology, including automatic recording systems, e-filing, e-payment, and virtual hearing facilities in courts across the state.
He urged all arms of government to remain united in the pursuit of justice and fairness, emphasizing that peace and progress could only thrive where the rule of law prevails.
“The executive, legislature, and judiciary are partners in service. Each arm depends on the other to function effectively,” Oborevwori said.
“Together, we must continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure that every Deltan can live, work, and dream in a society governed by justice and fairness.”
Earlier in his homily, the Bishop of Issele-Uku Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Elue, charged members of the judiciary to discharge their duties with integrity, courage, and the fear of God, describing judges as “partners with God in the administration of justice.”
The event was attended by top government functionaries, members of the bench and bar, and other dignitaries from across the state.
Oborevwori Orders Crackdown on Criminal Networks as DSS Intercepts Heavy Arms Cache in Delta
…Directs Security Agencies to Arrest Killers of Warri Youth Leader
Meanwhile, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has ordered a comprehensive crackdown on criminal networks following the interception of a cache of sophisticated weapons by the Department of State Security Services (DSS) in Asaba.
The governor, who gave the directive on Monday during a visit to the Delta State Command of the DSS, commended the agency for what he described as a major breakthrough in the state’s sustained fight against insecurity.
“I am very delighted to be here today. I had to leave another important engagement to attend this briefing because the breakthrough recorded by our security agencies is highly commendable and significant to the peace and safety of our state,” Oborevwori said.
He praised the DSS and other security formations for their “strategic intelligence, coordination, and determination,” which led to the recovery of the arms, adding that the success reflected Delta State’s strong commitment to peace and public safety.
The governor warned that his administration would not tolerate any form of insecurity or lawlessness, particularly in Warri and its environs.
“Those who are planning to cause crisis should have a rethink: we want peace, not trouble. We are working tirelessly to open up Warri for investors and economic growth, but where there is violence, investors will stay away,” he cautioned.
Oborevwori also warned that anyone involved in killings, violence, or arms smuggling would be tracked down and prosecuted. He stressed that Delta remained a peaceful and investor-friendly state and vowed to resist any attempt to destabilize it.
“Bringing in heavy arms and ammunition of this nature is unacceptable and a direct threat to our collective peace. We will not allow it under any circumstance,” he stressed, urging residents to cooperate with security agencies to keep the state safe.
On the killing of Jerry Aduara, an indigene of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, who was a two-time chairman of the Odion Urhobo Youth Council and member of the Warri South Local Government Peace Committee, the governor directed security agencies to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“I have directed the security agencies to arrest the person who shot and killed somebody in Warri. They should look for that person and bring him to book, including those backing him. Nobody involved will go scot-free because this is Delta State, and we want peace,” Oborevwori declared.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and ensuring that no individual or group “takes the law into their own hands”, emphasizing Delta’s focus on unity, development, and security.
Earlier, the Deputy Director of Operations of the DSS, Delta State Command, Mr. Anthony Ifemeje, briefed the governor on the intelligence-led operation that led to the arrests.
According to him, the operation, which took place on October 12, 2025, within the Asaba metropolis, resulted in the capture of a notorious arms dealer, identified as Stephen Sabo Atoshi, and his accomplice, a 40-year-old secondary school teacher from Taraba State.
Ifemeje revealed that the suspects were part of a network trafficking small arms and light weapons from Sebha in southern Libya through Chad into Nigeria via an illegal border in Gidam, Yobe State.
“During interrogation, the prime suspect confessed to garnering eight years in the illegal trade and to having supplied over 55 weapons, including General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and AK-47 rifles, across the country,” Ifemeje disclosed.
Items recovered included seven GPMGs, several AK-47 rifles, five hand grenades, and other military-grade weapons, some concealed in bags of beans transported from the North to the Oko Food Market along the Asaba–Onitsha Expressway.
The DSS also uncovered 497 cartons of fake drugs intended for distribution within the state.
Ifemeje assured the governor of the command’s continuous vigilance and determination to cut off arms supply routes and dismantle criminal networks operating in Delta.
