By Deborah Nnamdi
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested suspected cultists and recovered firearms and illicit drugs during separate operations aimed at curbing cult-related activities in the state.
Sources said that on April 11, 2026, at about 11:45 a.m., operatives of Delta Shield, while on surveillance patrol in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area, intercepted a 32-year-old suspect identified as Peter Onajite.
A search conducted on the suspect reportedly led to the recovery of a locally made double-barrelled cut-to-size pistol, two live cartridges, one expended cartridge, and sachets of suspected Tramadol.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to being the leader of the Juris Confraternity.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said the suspect remains in custody while investigations are ongoing.
In a separate operation on April 12, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., police operatives attached to the Ibusa Police Station acted on intelligence regarding a planned cult initiation involving a suspect identified as Chinedu Onyeama, who is currently at large, and members of a cult group known as Aiye.
The operatives swiftly mobilised to Jordan Road, Ibusa, where they disrupted the initiation and arrested three suspects, including a female.
Items recovered from the scene include an English-made Beretta pistol with one round of live ammunition, three battle axes, one hammer, one cutlass, and 39 firelighters.
Edafe said the suspects are currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and warned that authorities would continue to clamp down on cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
