By our Reporter
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 16 suspected cultists and recovered four firearms, ammunition and other incriminating exhibits in separate intelligence-led operations as part of its ongoing crackdown on cultism and violent crime across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, said the operations underscore the Command’s determination to dismantle criminal gangs and restore public safety.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the first operation was carried out at about 2:00 a.m. on July 17, 2026, when operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Amukpe in Sapele Local Government Area.
During the operation, eight suspects identified as 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, were arrested.
Police alleged that the suspects are members of the Aiye Confraternity.
A search of the hideout led to the recovery of three locally fabricated pistols, six live cartridges, eight rounds of live ammunition of different calibres, two axes, two suspected cannabis grinders, one bottle containing a suspected illicit substance and other exhibits.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, indicate that the suspects are linked to cult-related activities within the Sapele axis, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the group and recover additional weapons.
In a separate operation conducted later the same day at about 11:30 a.m., police operatives arrested another eight suspects in connection with an alleged cult-related attack in Illabor Community, Ika North East Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Ifeanyi Emeka, 25; Hope Sunday, 24; Francis Onyechiwalla, 23; and Chinedu Joseph, 25, alongside four other suspects whose identities were not disclosed by the police.
The Command said the suspects were arrested following an attack on a male victim, whose identity was withheld, allegedly carried out with a cut-to-size gun.
Police added that during preliminary interrogation, some of the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Eiye Confraternity.
The suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue to determine their involvement in other cult-related offences and identify additional members of the group.
Commending the operatives for the successful operations, Commissioner of Police Yemi Oyeniyi reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations against cultism and other violent crimes across Delta State.
He urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to the police, assuring them that the Command would not relent in its efforts to ensure the safety and security of lives and property throughout the state.
