The Delta State Police Command has recovered arms and ammunition and arrested nine suspects in a major operation targeting cult-related violence across the state.

The crackdown followed recent cult clashes and killings in Ughelli and other parts of Delta State, which prompted the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, to order a statewide manhunt for cultists and other violent criminal elements.

Acting on the directive, operatives of the Command’s CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) dismantled a cult network linked to the clashes in Ughelli town.

Two suspects, Warri Ochuko, 40, of Orogun Community, and Lucky Okohwoake, 23, of Afiesere Community, both in Ughelli North Council, were first arrested.

Police said the suspects made confessional statements and provided actionable intelligence, leading to coordinated operations across the Ughelli metropolis and the arrest of six additional suspects.

A locally made gun and four live cartridges were recovered from the initially arrested suspects.

Spokesperson for the Command, Bright Edafe, said the suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted involvement in the killing of 37-year-old Alex Adanike on January 15, 2026, at the Iwhrekpokpo area of Ughelli, Ughelli North Council.

In a separate operation on January 26, 2026, CP-SAT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout in the Irapa area of Sapele town and arrested three more suspects.

A search of the premises led to the recovery of a wooden-carved pistol, a battle axe, a bulletproof vest, quantities of illicit drugs and other incriminating items. A white Toyota Venza vehicle, suspected to have been used for criminal operations, was also recovered.

Police said profiling and further investigation of the suspects are ongoing to determine the full extent of their criminal activities and possible links to cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.