Delta State Police Command has announced a major operational breakthrough in its long-running battle against cultism and violent crimes, arresting 13 suspected members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity, popularly known as Black Axe, during a late night raid on a forest enclave in Ethiope East Local Council.

The command’s spokesperson Bright Edafe, told The Guardian that the operation, carried out on December 20, 2025, followed “credible intelligence” indicating that cultists were converging on the Ekraka Community Forest in Kokori for initiation ceremony.

He said acting on the tip-off, the Command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS) moved swiftly to disrupt the gathering before it could degenerate into violence.

According to him, the QRS Commander, SP Collins Achem, led a team of armed operatives to the forest about 11pm. On arrival, the suspects reportedly opened fire on the patrol team, triggering a brief but intense gun duel.

Edafe stated that the operatives overpowered the suspects, arresting 13 on the spot, while others escaped deeper into the forest under the cover of darkness.

“A subsequent search of the area uncovered a cache of weapons and items linked to cult activities. Police recovered two pump action guns, a double-barrel cut-to-size gun, a single-barrel cut-to-size gun, a battle axe, cult aprons bearing the “NBM” insignia, razor blades cut into pieces, charms, suspected hard drugs and mobile phones.

“Seven vehicles allegedly used by members of the group were also seized and towed to the QRS base in Warri.”

While the police hailed the operation as evidence of improved intelligence-led policing, the incident once again underscores the persistence of cultism in parts of the Niger Delta, despite years of security crackdowns.

“The arrested suspects are in custody as investigations continue to determine their individual roles, dismantle the wider syndicate and track down those who fled the scene”, he said.

Edafe reiterated zero-tolerance stance to cultism and violent crime, calling on parents, schools, community leaders, and faith-based organisations to play a more active role in steering youths away from criminal gangs, and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies.