The Delta State Police Command has arrested 11 suspected cultists and armed robbers in a series of coordinated operations that led to the dismantling of a violent network linked to recent cult-related killings in Ughelli and other parts of the state.
The arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, who ordered an intensified, intelligence-driven manhunt in response to escalating cult clashes and violent crimes across Delta State.
Acting on this directive, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team, CP-SAT, led by ASP Julius Robinson, launched targeted operations based on credible intelligence.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, two suspects were initially apprehended during the operation.
He said the suspects confessed during interrogation and provided intelligence that enabled officers to carry out further raids across the Ughelli metropolis, resulting in the arrest of six additional suspects.
Those arrested include Richard William of Uwheru Community; Onorode Pius of Otor-Udu Community, Udu Local Government Area; Sunday Jakpor of Orhunwhun Community, Udu LGA; Victory Ogbemudia of Oleh Community, Isoko South LGA; Raymond Arhiakpore of Agbara Community; and Precious Wanogho of Orogun Community, all in Delta State.
“A locally made gun and four live cartridges were recovered from the initially arrested suspects,” the police spokesman said.
Edafe disclosed that preliminary investigations showed the suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted to involvement in the killing of one Alex Adanike, who was murdered on January 15, at the Iwhrekpokpo area of Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area.
In a separate operation on January 26, CP-SAT operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in the Irapa area of Sapele town, where three additional suspects were arrested.
The suspects were identified as Kome Temienoro of Jesse Community, Ethiope East LGA; Ogaga Omogene of Ugbuwe Community, Ethiope East LGA; and Biokoro Francis of Okogborode Community, Sapele LGA.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of a wooden-carved pistol, a battle axe, a bulletproof vest, quantities of suspected illicit drugs and other incriminating items. A white Toyota Venza vehicle, believed to have been used in criminal operations, was also recovered.
Police said profiling and further investigations are ongoing to determine the suspects’ involvement in cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, CP Aina Adesola reassured residents of the command’s commitment to ending cultism and violent crime in the state, urging members of the public to provide timely and credible information, with the assurance of strict confidentiality.
The police also recalled a separate incident in which a man identified as Gare was arrested for allegedly killing his friend, Courage, over a dispute linked to internet fraud activities.
SP Edafe described the incident as a tragic and preventable act fueled by anger, substance abuse and a criminal lifestyle.
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