Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Police Command has arrested 16 suspected cultists and recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition in two separate intelligence-led operations, marking a significant breakthrough in the force’s ongoing crackdown on violent crime across the state.
In the first operation, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) raided a suspected criminal hideout at Amukpe in Sapele Local Government Area in the early hours of July 17.
Eight suspects were apprehended during the 2am operation: Lucky Naset (30), Ochuko Midwest (27), Samuel Oghene (29), Michael Mmadu (35), Dennis Philip (28), Goodluck Onujenya (30), Ovie Royal (25), and Divine Otemu (22) – all believed to be members of the Aiye Confraternity.
A thorough search of the hideout uncovered three locally fabricated pistols, six live cartridges, eight rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, two axes, two suspected cannabis grinders, and a bottle containing a suspected illicit substance.
According to SP. Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, preliminary investigations indicate the suspects are linked to cult-related activities within the Sapele axis, with police continuing their efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.
In a separate operation later that day at approximately 11.30am, officers arrested four more suspects in connection with an alleged cult-related attack on a male victim from Illabor Community in Ika North East Local Government Area.
Those taken into custody – Ifeanyi Emeka (25), Hope Sunday (24), Francis Onyechiwalla (23), and Chinedu Joseph (25) – reportedly confessed during preliminary questioning to being members of the Eiye Confraternity.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to determine their involvement in other cult-related crimes and to apprehend additional members of the group.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, praised the operatives for their successful operations and reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal gangs and cult groups across the state.
“Members of the public are urged to continue providing credible and timely information to the Police,” the Commissioner said, assuring residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations to ensure the safety and security of all.
The arrests come amid heightened concerns over cult-related violence in the South-South region, with security agencies stepping up efforts to curb the activities of confraternity groups that have been linked to a range of criminal offences.
