Nine suspected cultists have been arrested in separate intelligence-led operations in Delta State, with the police recovering two locally fabricated guns, live ammunition, suspected illicit drugs and other dangerous items.

The arrests were made in Obiaruku and Issele-Ikpitime communities, according to the Delta State Police Command.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said yesterday that seven suspects were arrested on September 13 after operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Ubulu-Uku, acting on credible intelligence, executed a search warrant at a premises along Ghana Quarters Street, Umuebu Road, Obiaruku.

Items recovered during the operation, he said, included a locally fabricated single-barrelled gun, one live cartridge, quantities of suspected illicit drugs, a battle axe, mobile phones and a laptop computer.

The seven suspects were identified as Wisdom Enede, 25; Ocheli Solomon, 42; Nnaji Godstime, 23; Izu Thankgod, 28; Kester Adishi, 31; Oghonogho Pentecost, 28; and Adishi Prince, 28.

Edafe said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly admitted membership of the Vikings and Black Axe confraternities and made statements concerning their alleged involvement in internet fraud.

He, however, stressed that the investigation was still at an early stage, adding that detectives would establish the individual roles of the suspects, trace the source of the recovered firearm and determine whether they were linked to other criminal activities.

In a separate operation on September 12, operatives of the Onicha-Olona Police Division responded to a report of a cult-related attack on residents of Issele-Ikpitime Village.

Edafe said a divisional patrol team was immediately deployed to the community, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
They were identified as Emmanuel Believe, 29, and Israel Nwaobi, 27, both residents of Issele-Ikpitime Village. A locally made cut-to-size gun was reportedly recovered from them.

The police also rescued a man who sustained a gunshot injury during the reported attack. He was taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

The command said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the gang allegedly involved in the attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, warned individuals involved in cult activities against resorting to violence, stressing that possession of firearms without lawful authority remained a serious offence.

Eralе assured residents that the command would continue to rely on credible intelligence, targeted operations and coordinated policing to identify and disrupt criminal activities across the state.