Follow Us on Google
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms in coordinated operations across four local government areas of the state.
The command disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
According to the statement, the arrests followed operations by the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU) across Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South, and Okpe Local Government Areas on October 15 in compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, to intensify intelligence-led operations against cultism.
Acting on credible intelligence that suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as Aro Bagger, had assembled at a hotel along Abraka Road, Asaba, for an alleged cult anniversary celebration, a combined team of operatives from the Department of Operations, RRS Asaba Sector and CACU Asaba Sector raided the premises and arrested 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females.
The operation led to the recovery of two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two branded cult jackets.
In a related operation at Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives of RRS Agbor Sector arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female, with items suspected to be linked to the same Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
Similarly, following intelligence on a gathering of suspected members of the SVC cult group at Jeremy Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, operatives of CACU, Ovwian-Aladja Sector, in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group, raided a criminal hideout and arrested three suspects identified as John Pius, 32, Oghene Ochuko, 28, and Akinbule Godstime, 24, while others fled.
Two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms were recovered.
In another operation at Jeddo Community, Okpe Local Government Area, 10 additional male suspects were arrested in connection with suspected cult activities.
In total, the operations led to the recovery of five firearms, comprising two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols, alongside 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.
Edafe said the suspects and exhibits were in police custody while investigations were ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives and directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical commanders to intensify operations against cult groups across the State.
He warned that the command would not tolerate cult-related activities capable of threatening public peace and urged residents to support the Police with credible information.
