Police arrest 11 suspected cultists in Delta, recover firearms

The Delta State Police Command has intensified its offensive against cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and other violent crimes across the state.

SP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, Asaba, in a statement, said the command had arrested 11 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, and dangerous weapons in separate intelligence-led operations.

According to the statement, on May 14, 2026, at about 11:09 am, operatives of the Buffalo Patrol Team, acting on a distress call, raided a suspected cultist hideout at Eagle Square along Okpanam Road, Asaba, suspected to be used for cult-related activities.

The operation led to the arrest of seven male suspects and two female suspects, during which one Beretta pistol, one battle axe, and one cutlass were recovered.

In a separate operation on May 14, 2026, at about 9 am, operatives of the Safer Highway Patrol Team, during routine stop-and-search duty along the Ughelli/Patani Road, intercepted a Lexus Jeep with registration number KWL 139 CY, driven by one Felix Ike.

A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of one English-made pump-action gun and forty rounds of live cartridges, while the suspect is in custody as the investigation continues.

Similarly, on May 15, 2026, at about 12:30 pm, operatives of the command’s anti-cult unit, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Christopher Ogidigbo, 28, of Ogharaefe Town in the Ethiope-West Local Government Area.

He was identified as a suspected kingpin of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity. One locally made revolver pistol was recovered from the suspect during the operation.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their professionalism and proactive response, reiterating the command’s unwavering commitment to combating cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and other criminal activities across the state.