The Police Command in Delta State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms and 12 live cartridges during coordinated operations across four local government areas of the state.
The operations, conducted on Thursday, also led to the recovery of seven expended cartridges, suspected cult insignia, branded jackets and charms, according to a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday by the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe.
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The statement said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations by the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit in Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe local government areas.
The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, directed operatives to intensify the crackdown on cultism and related violent crimes, the statement said.
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67 suspects arrested at alleged cult anniversary
The largest operation occurred at a hotel along Abraka Road in Asaba, where police said suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as Aro Bagger, had assembled for an alleged cult anniversary celebration, Mr Edafe said.
“A combined team of police operatives raided the premises and arrested 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females,” Mr Edafe added.
The police said they recovered 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 branded cult jackets.
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In a related operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female, with items suspected to be linked to the same confraternity.
Three arrested in Ughelli South, 10 in Okpe
In another operation, police operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout at Jeremy Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area following intelligence about a gathering of suspected members of the same cult group.
The operation, conducted by the Command Anti-Cultism Unit’s Ovwian-Aladja Sector in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group, resulted in the arrest of three suspects identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.
The police said other suspects fled the scene.
Two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia, and suspected charms were recovered, according to the statement.
At Jeddo Community in Okpe Local Government Area, operatives arrested 10 additional male suspects over alleged involvement in cult activities.
The police said the suspects and recovered exhibits were in custody, while investigations continued.
Police warn cult groups
Mr Erale commended the operatives for the arrests and directed area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify operations against cult groups across Delta State.
READ ALSO: Police arrest 23 suspected cultists, recover guns
He warned that the command would not tolerate cult-related activities capable of threatening public peace and urged residents to provide credible information to support security operations.
The arrests come amid renewed attention to the activities of suspected cult groups in the South-south region.
On Friday, the police in Rivers announced that it had queried and relieved the divisional police officer in charge of Abuloma Division and the officer overseeing its police outpost after allegations that suspected cultists renovated the facility.
The police also ordered an investigation into the renovation and the possible involvement of police personnel after a video circulated on social media showing young men identified by a Facebook user as members of Aro Bagger at the outpost during what appeared to be a handover ceremony. Police officers were also seen taking photographs with them.
The police command in the state said legitimate community contributions towards improving police facilities were permissible, but warned that such support must not compromise police independence or confer legitimacy on suspected criminal groups.
The separate incidents have drawn attention to concerns about suspected cult groups and their activities in the region.
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