The Delta State Police Command says it has intensified operations against drug cartels following the death of a 15-year-old boy who allegedly overdosed on a controlled medication.

Police said the teenager, identified as Gift Oberhirhi, died after reportedly consuming multiple tablets of Dexamethasone without a doctor’s prescription.

The incident, which occurred in Orogun, has renewed concerns about the growing misuse of drugs among young people in Nigeria.

What happened

According to police, the boy allegedly obtained the tablets from a friend, also aged 15, identified as Destiny Akpofure.

Authorities said the deceased swallowed about 15 tablets before falling ill.

He later died while being rushed for medical treatment.

Police operatives said they responded quickly, evacuated the body to the General Hospital mortuary in Orogun for an autopsy, and arrested the suspect.

“The deceased without a doctor’s prescription, took the drug from the suspect and swallowed fifteen tablets. He subsequently fell ill and died while being taken for medical attention,” the statement said.

The police added that investigations are ongoing.

Why it matters

Health experts warn that Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, should only be taken under medical supervision, as misuse can lead to severe complications or death.

The incident highlights a broader issue of access to prescription and controlled drugs among teenagers.

Police say such misuse is increasingly linked to other crimes, including cult-related violence and substance abuse disorders.

Police response

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi, said the command is stepping up intelligence-led operations targeting drug dens and criminal hideouts.

“The Command is committed to the protection of lives and property and will take all necessary measures to address drug-related crimes across the State,” he said.

Authorities also warned young people against drug misuse and urged parents and guardians to monitor their children closely.

Wider concerns

Drug abuse among Nigerian youths has become a growing public health concern, with authorities linking it to rising insecurity and social problems.

The police say the latest incident underscores “the serious public safety risks posed by the illegal distribution and misuse of drugs.”

They are urging members of the public to report suspicious drug-related activities.

What’s next

Police say investigations into the case will continue, while broader enforcement efforts targeting illegal drug distribution networks are being expanded.

Community awareness campaigns are also expected to be intensified.

Delta State police have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the January murder of 31-year-old Alex Adanike in Agbhara-Otor, authorities confirmed on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

Adanike was reportedly shot and stabbed by members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as Aro Bagger, who mistakenly believed he was his twin brother, Okpako Adanike.

Background: Fatal Mistaken Identity

Earlier investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, Warri Ochuko and Lucky Okohwoake, who confessed to involvement in the killing. The latest operation, conducted in Ughelli and Warri by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, apprehended Tega Michael, 26, and Tena Sagbene, 32.

Authorities say the new arrests were based on intelligence gathered from the initial suspects, who identified the two as co-perpetrators of the murder.

Court Proceedings and Confessions

All four suspects were arraigned before the Ughelli High Court on Tuesday and remanded in prison custody. Police confirmed that the suspects have confessed to participating in the murder.

“The arrests demonstrate the importance of proactive policing, including intelligence gathering, raids, and stop-and-search operations,” said the Delta State Police Command in a statement. “These measures help prevent crime and restore peace and sanity in the state.”

Police Statement: Fighting Crime on All Fronts

Commissioner of Police lauded officers for taking the fight directly to criminal hideouts, making the state increasingly uninhabitable for lawbreakers. Residents were urged to respect the rule of law and cooperate with law enforcement.

“We commend our officers for sustaining the fight against crime and criminality. Delta State is becoming unsafe for criminals,” the statement added.

Why It Matters

The arrests highlight the ongoing threat posed by cult-related violence in southern Nigeria and the role of targeted raids in tackling organized crime. Police stress that public cooperation remains essential for successful crime prevention.

Delta State Police have arrested 34 suspects in a major cybercrime bust in Opete. The operation, led by SP Collins Arrey of the Quick Response Squad, followed a distress call from a young man claiming he was being held hostage and forced into internet fraud.

Officers discovered a residential apartment converted into a cybercrime base. Recovered items include 37 laptops, one iPad, seven mobile phones, and a calabash containing suspected charms, highlighting the scale and organized nature of the operation. Investigations are ongoing.

“This operation is a major breakthrough against cybercrime in the state,” said SP Collins Arrey. “We are committed to dismantling criminal networks wherever they operate.”

Arrest of Suspected Armed Robbers

In a separate operation on 29 March along Ogbolu/Illah Road, police intercepted a tricycle carrying two men under suspicious circumstances. One passenger tried to flee and resisted arrest using a wooden object, but was quickly subdued.

Authorities recovered a locally fabricated cut-to-size gun loaded with two live cartridges from the tricycle. The suspects were identified as Mustapha Musa, 32, from Kogi State, and tricycle rider Iyanosor Ogbizi, 34. Both are now in custody for further investigation.

“These operations underscore our commitment to intelligence-led policing and rapid response to threats,” said CP Yemi John Oyeniyi, Delta State Police Command. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information to help fight crime.”

Why This Matters

Delta State has been battling cybercrime and armed robbery, which have economic and social implications. These operations demonstrate proactive policing and reinforce public safety in urban and semi-urban areas.

Experts note that cooperation between citizens and law enforcement is critical in disrupting criminal networks. Intelligence-led operations like this can prevent further loss of property and protect vulnerable residents.