The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms during coordinated operations across four local government areas, including a raid on a hotel where 67 suspects allegedly gathered for a cult anniversary celebration.
The operations were carried out on Thursday in Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe local government areas as part of efforts to tackle cultism and related violent crimes.
In a statement on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the operation led to the recovery of two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun, two locally made pistols, 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.
The largest number of arrests was recorded in Asaba, where police operatives raided a hotel along Abraka Road following intelligence that suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as Aro Bagger, had gathered for an anniversary celebration.
The police said 67 suspects, comprising 55 men and 12 women, were arrested during the raid.
Items recovered 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 cult branding.
In a separate operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 men and one woman, over suspected links to the same confraternity.
The police also raided a suspected criminal hideout in Jeremy Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, following intelligence about an alleged gathering of suspected cult members.
Three suspects, identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24, were arrested, while others reportedly fled.
The operation led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and items described by the police as charms.
Another 10 male suspects were arrested in Jeddo Community, Okpe Local Government Area, over suspected cult-related activities.
The command said the suspects and recovered exhibits were in custody, adding that investigations were ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, commended the officers involved in the operations and directed area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical teams to intensify the crackdown on cult groups across the state.
He warned that the command would not tolerate activities capable of threatening public peace and urged residents to provide credible information to assist security operations.
The police did not disclose whether any of the 95 suspects had been formally charged in court.
