The Delta State Police Command has arrested a suspect for allegedly purchasing a prohibited firearm through social media after he was found in possession of a Beretta pistol.

The arrest was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, in a video shared on Tuesday, where he displayed the recovered weapon and cautioned against the growing trend of illegal arms acquisition online.

Edafe said the suspect was caught with a Beretta pistol, alongside a magazine and two 9mm rounds of ammunition, noting that such weapons are restricted to authorised security agencies.

The suspect, identified as Igbunu Evans from Sapele in Delta State, reportedly admitted during interrogation that he bought the firearm via Snapchat from a vendor and paid about ₦450,000 for its delivery.

He claimed the weapon was intended for self-protection against “unknown gunmen or kidnappers,” but also confessed to involvement in internet fraud for several years.

Reacting to the case, Edafe linked the incident to wider criminal behaviour, saying offences such as cyber fraud, cultism, drug abuse, and illegal arms possession are increasingly interconnected.

He stressed that the Beretta pistol is a prohibited firearm and cannot be legally owned by civilians under any guise, including self-defence.

The police spokesman added that the suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.