ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has launched further investigations into suspected cult activities in Obiaruku and Issele-Ikpitime following the arrest of nine persons and the recovery of two locally made firearms, ammunition and other items during separate operations.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the operations were carried out by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Ubulu-Uku, and the Onicha-Olona Police Division on September 12 and 13, 2026.
According to the statement, the first operation took place in Obiaruku on September 13, when SAKU operatives, acting on intelligence, executed a search warrant at a premises along Ghana Quarters Street, Umuebu Road.
Police said the search resulted in the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrelled gun, a live cartridge, suspected illicit drugs, a battle axe, mobile phones and a laptop computer.
Seven persons were arrested during the operation. They 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.
The Command said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly admitted membership of the Vikings and Black Axe confraternities and also made statements concerning alleged involvement in internet fraud.
It, however, stressed that the investigation was still ongoing, with detectives expected to determine the individual roles of the suspects, establish the source of the recovered firearm and investigate possible links to other criminal activities.
In a separate development, police operatives in the Onicha-Olona Division responded to a reported cult-related attack at Issele-Ikpitime on September 12.
The police said the intervention led to the arrest of two suspects, Emmanuel Believe, 29, and Israel Nwaobi, 27, both residents of the community, while a locally made cut-to-size gun was recovered.
A man who sustained a gunshot injury during the reported attack was also rescued by the operatives and taken to a hospital for treatment.
The Command said efforts were continuing to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly connected with the attack.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, directed investigators to trace the sources of the recovered firearms and establish the identities of other persons who may be connected with the suspects.
He also warned against cult-related violence and unlawful possession of firearms, while assuring residents that the Command would continue to act on credible intelligence and conduct operations aimed at disrupting criminal activities across Delta State.
