Delta: Police storm cultists’ anniversary celebration, arrest 51 suspects

The Delta State Police Command has rounded up a total of 51 suspected cultists amidst their initiation ceremony in the Ogwashi-Uku area of Delta State.

Aside from the arrested suspects, assorted arms and ammunition were recovered from the venue of the ceremony.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday.

He said dangerous weapons recovered from the suspected cultists nabbed in Eiye Confraternity regalia included two cut-to-size locally made guns and one expended cartridge, among others.

The PPRO stated that on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, the Command received a tip-off that some suspected Eiye Confraternity Cult group would be marking their anniversary in Ogwashi-Uku.

Based on the intelligence report, the police spokesman said the command swiftly took action and located where and when the ceremony would be held.

Edafe said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ari Muhammed Ali, consequently detailed the command’s Buffalo Patrol Team, operatives from Area Command Ogwashi-Uku and Ogwashi-Uku Division to storm the venue at Big Apple Hotel in Ogwashi-Uku.

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However, the suspects on sighting the police took to their heels, and some of them shot at the police.

“But the operatives gave them a hot chase during which 51 suspected cultists were arrested, together with two cut-to-size locally made guns, one expended cartridge as well as Eiye Confraternity regalia,”Edafe said.

The PPRO stated that the suspects have since been transferred to the Command Anti-Cult unit (SACU) for investigation, noting that those found wanting upon completion of investigation, would be charged to court.

In another development, the Command has arrested one 80-year-old man, Omoraka James, in Kokori for allegedly dealing in cartridges, and selling such to hoodlums who use them in carrying out various nefarious activities.

The PUNCH gathered that when the suspect’s premises was raided by the Command Raider’s Unit on the strength of information received, 114 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from him.

Similarly, Eagle net special squad while on stop and search duty along Sapele-Benin Expressway, intercepted a Toyota Hiace Bus with reg no OLG 13 EFR and subjected the passengers to a search during which six locally made double barrel guns concealed in an umbrella belonging to one Mrs. Victoria Itila were recovered.

The suspect was arrested and an investigation is ongoing, the police said.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police while urging parents and guardians to monitor and teach their wards about the need to stay away from cultism and vices, warned that the command under his watch will not tolerate any form of cult-related activities in the state.

Ali maintained that the command will go all out in identifying them, their hideouts, arrest and ensure that they are brought to book.

The CP also admonished members of the public to continue to partner with the police by providing useful and timely information that will help in the fight against crime and criminality.