The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms, 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges during coordinated operations across four local government areas of the state.
The operations, conducted on October 15, 2026, covered Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe local government areas as part of efforts to curb cultism and related violent crimes.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led operations by the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU).
According to the statement, 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females, were arrested when operatives raided a hotel along Abraka Road, Asaba, where suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as Aro Bagger, allegedly gathered for a cult anniversary celebration.
Items recovered during the operation included two pump-action guns, a locally fabricated cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets bearing suspected cult branding.
In a related operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, RRS operatives arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female, over their alleged links to the same confraternity.
Similarly, operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit, Ovwian-Aladja Sector, working with a civilian anti-cult group, raided a suspected hideout at Jeremy Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Three suspects, identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24, were arrested, while others reportedly fled.
The police said two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms were recovered from the location.
In another operation at Jeddo Community in Okpe Local Government Area, 10 male suspects were arrested in connection with alleged cult activities.
The command said the suspects and recovered exhibits were in police custody, while investigations into the incidents continued.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, commended the operatives for their efforts and directed area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify the crackdown on cult groups across the state.
He warned that the command would not tolerate cult-related activities capable of threatening public peace and security.
The police chief also urged residents to support the command with credible information to help prevent crime and apprehend suspects.
