Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Police Command says it has arrested six suspected cultists during intelligence-led operations targeting suspected kidnappers and cult-related activities in Ika South and Aniocha North Local Government Areas.
The operations, conducted by different units of the command, also led to the recovery of four firearms, six live cartridges, a battle axe, two cutlasses, mobile phones, illicit drugs and military camouflage items.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, 19 September 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
According to the statement, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Sector III, Ubulu-Uku, acting on intelligence, carried out a covert operation at Alisheme Community in Ika South LGA on 18 September.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Destiny Okafor, 18, and Sunday Bryan, 22, who are suspected of involvement in cultism and kidnapping-related activities.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects claimed membership of the NBM Confraternity.
Items recovered from them included a locally fabricated single-barrelled gun, a battle axe, two cutlasses, mobile phones and a laptop.
The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
In a separate operation on 15 September, the Divisional Police Officer of Issele-Uku Division, acting on intelligence about suspected cult activities around Ogboli Quarter and other parts of Issele-Uku, mobilised a combined team of Police Anti-Cult personnel, vigilantes, hunters and Forest Security operatives.
The team conducted a cordon-and-search operation which led to the arrest of four suspected cultists and the recovery of two locally made pistols, one pump-action gun and six live cartridges.
The command said investigation into the case was ongoing.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), Asaba, intercepted a Toyota Sienna allegedly conveying suspected illicit drugs and military accoutrements from Onitsha towards Ondo State.
The police said the operation followed intelligence received on 18 September, prompting officers to mount surveillance along the suspected route.
At about 4:50am, the operatives intercepted a green Toyota Sienna with registration number KP 527 AAA, driven by Isaac Urji, 45, from Abia State.
A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of cartons containing suspected Tramadol and other suspected illicit drugs, as well as military camouflage uniforms, boots and hats.
Urji was arrested, while the command said investigations had commenced to establish the source and intended destination of the items and identify other persons allegedly connected with the consignment.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, reiterated the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state.
Erale urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to the police, assuring them that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The statement was signed by SP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, Asaba.
