Delta Police Arrest 16 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearms, Ammunition in Major Crackdown
By Naomi Onome
The Delta State Police Command has intensified its campaign against cultism and violent crime with the arrest of 16 suspected cultists and the recovery of firearms, live ammunition, cartridges and other incriminating exhibits during separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the Command said the arrests were carried out by operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence.
According to the statement, the first operation was conducted at about 2:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, when police operatives stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of eight suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity.
The suspects were 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.
A search of the hideout led to the recovery of three locally fabricated pistols, six live cartridges, eight rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, two axes, two suspected cannabis grinders, a bottle containing a suspected illicit substance and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities.
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Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are allegedly involved in cult-related activities within the Sapele axis, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.
In a separate operation carried out later the same day at about 11:30 a.m., operatives arrested another set of suspects in connection with the alleged attack on a male resident of Illabor Community in Ika North East Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Ifeanyi Emeka, 25; Hope Sunday, 24; Francis Onyechiwalla, 23; and Chinedu Joseph, 25.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly attacked the victim with a cut-to-size gun. During preliminary investigation, they reportedly confessed to being members of the Eiye Confraternity.
The Command said the suspects remain in custody while investigations continue to establish their involvement in other cult-related crimes and to arrest other members of the group.
Commending the operatives for the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal gangs and cult groups across the state.
He also appealed to residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, assuring the public that intelligence-driven operations would be sustained to enhance the safety and security of lives and property throughout Delta State.
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