DELTA POLICE ARREST 32 SUSPECTED CULTISTS, RECOVER FIREARMS, DRUGS IN STATEWIDE RAIDS

DELTA POLICE ARREST 32 SUSPECTED CULTISTS, RECOVER FIREARMS, DRUGS IN STATEWIDE RAIDS

The Delta State Police Command has arrested 32 suspected cultists and recovered firearms, ammunition, communication devices, and illicit drugs in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

According to the Command, the operations were carried out by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU) as part of ongoing efforts to curb cultism and violent crime.

In the first operation on 16 June 2026, operatives stormed a suspected cult initiation ground at Agbarho following intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity were planning fresh attacks and initiations linked to recent cult killings in Agbor. The suspects reportedly engaged police in a gun duel, during which two suspects sustained gunshot injuries. Twenty-five suspects were arrested, while others fled. One pump-action shotgun and one cut-to-size firearm were recovered.

In a separate raid on 14 June 2026 at Azagba-Ogwashi, CACU operatives arrested seven suspected cultists. The suspects include Obore Ndubrisi (26), Okafor Okene (25), Odinigie Sunday (26), Okohur Destiny (21), Felix Abraham (25), Aputa Israel (27), and Okolie Chinonso Peter (24). Items recovered include one double-barrel gun, two live cartridges, suspected Indian hemp, Tramadol, and a walkie-talkie.

The Command said all suspects are in custody undergoing profiling and investigation, while the injured suspects are receiving medical attention.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustained operations against cultism, violent crime, and other security threats in the state.