ASABA/Nigeria: Following recent cult clashes and killings in Ughelli and other parts of Delta State, the Delta State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on cultists and violent criminal gangs, recording major arrests and recovery of arms in coordinated operations across the state.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, was said to have ordered an intelligence-led manhunt for cultists and other criminal elements in response to rising violence.
As part of the operation, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, dismantled a cult killing network linked to recent clashes in Ughelli town. Acting on credible intelligence, the team arrested two suspects identified as Warri Ochuko, 40, of Orogun Community, and Lucky Okohwoake, 23, of Afiesere Community, both in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Police said the suspects made confessional statements during interrogation and provided actionable intelligence, which led to a follow-up operation across the Ughelli metropolis. Six additional suspects were subsequently arrested. They include Richard William, 28, of Uwheru Community; Onorode Pius, 27, of Otor-Udu Community, Udu LGA; Sunday Jakpor, 20, of Orhunwhun Community, Udu LGA; Victory Ogbemudia, 25, of Oleh Community, Isoko South LGA; Raymond Arhiakpore, 39, of Agbara Community; and Precious Wanogho, 34, of Orogun Community.
A locally made gun and four live cartridges were recovered from the initially arrested suspects. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted their involvement in the killing of Alex Adanike, 37, who was murdered on January 15, 2026, at the Iwhrekpokpo area of Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA.
In a separate operation in Sapele, CP-SAT operatives on January 26, 2026, stormed a suspected criminal hideout in the Irapa area of the town, following credible intelligence, and arrested three suspected cultists and armed robbers.
The suspects were identified as Kome Temienoro, 25, of Jesse Community, Ethiope East LGA; Ogaga Omogene, 17, of Ugbuwe Community, Ethiope East LGA; and Biokoro Francis, 42, of Okogborode Community, Sapele LGA.
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. Police also recovered a white Toyota Venza vehicle suspected to have been used for criminal operations.
The Command said profiling and further investigation of the suspects were ongoing to determine the full extent of their criminal activities and possible links to cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The Commissioner of Police assured residents of Delta State that the Command remains resolute in its determination to eradicate cultism and violent crime, adding that the manhunt for criminal elements across the state is ongoing.
Members of the public were urged to provide timely and credible information to the police, with assurances that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
Stop fake rumors. Only two suspect. The others are innocent