Police Raid Hotel During Alleged Cult Anniversary In Delta, Arrest 67 Suspects

The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms during coordinated operations across Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe Local Government Areas.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the operations were carried out on October 15 by operatives from the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU) as part of intelligence-led efforts to combat cultism and related violent crimes in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed in a statement on Friday that police operatives raided a hotel along Abraka Road in Asaba, where suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as Aro Bagger, were allegedly gathered to celebrate a cult anniversary.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females.

Items recovered during the raid included two pump-action guns, a locally fabricated cut-to-size firearm, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets reportedly associated with the group.

In a separate operation, RRS operatives arrested 15 suspects in Agbor, within Ika South Local Government Area, over alleged involvement in cult-related activities.

Similarly, operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit, working alongside a civilian anti-cult group, arrested three suspects at a suspected criminal hideout in Jeremy Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.

According to Edafe, the operation led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, suspected charms and two caps bearing suspected cult insignia.

He added that another 10 male suspects were arrested in Jeddo Community, Okpe Local Government Area, over alleged cult-related activities.

The police spokesperson said the operations resulted in the recovery of five firearms, comprising two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols. Officers also recovered 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.

Edafe confirmed that the suspects and recovered exhibits were in police custody, while investigations were ongoing.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Samuel Erale, commended the officers involved in the operations and directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical commanders to intensify efforts to dismantle cult groups and prevent related criminal activities across the state.