By Sunday Apah
The Delta State Police Command, in its ongoing campaign against cultism, has arrested thirty-two (32) suspected cultists and recovered firearms, ammunition, communication equipment, and illicit drugs in separate intelligence-led operations.
In a statement issued by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, it was stated that some of the suspected cultists were arrested when operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of June 16, 2026, stormed a suspected cult initiation ground at Agbarho following intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity, allegedly linked to recent cult-related killings in Agbor, were planning further acts of violence and the initiation of new members.
It noted that upon arrival at the location, the operatives came under gunfire from some of the suspects.
The police team responded professionally, during which two of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries.
The operation resulted in the arrest of twenty-five (25) suspects, while several others fled the scene.
Exhibits recovered during the operation include one (1) pump-action shotgun and one (1) cut-to-size firearm. The injured suspects are receiving medical treatment.
In a related development, operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Azagba-Ogwashi on June 14, 2026.
The operation led to the arrest of seven (7) suspected cultists, namely: Obore Ndubrisi (26), Okafor Okene (25), Odinigie Sunday (26), Okohur Destiny (21), Felix Abraham (25), Aputa Israel (27), and Okolie Chinonso Peter (24).
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one (1) double-barrel gun, two (2) live cartridges, quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Tramadol, as well as a walkie-talkie.
The suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody while profiling and further investigations are ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the gallantry and professionalism of the operatives involved in the operations and reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating cultism, violent crime, and other forms of criminality across the State.
