Delta Police arrest 95 suspected cultists across four LGAs, recovering five firearms, 12 live cartridges and other items during coordinated security raids.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists during a series of coordinated security operations across four local government areas, recovering five firearms, 12 live cartridges and seven spent cartridges in the process.
The operations, which took place on October 15, 2026, covered Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe local government areas. They were conducted as part of efforts to disrupt suspected cult activities and address security concerns in communities across the state.
The police said the exercise was based on intelligence reports and involved personnel from the Department of Operations, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU).
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, announced the arrests in a statement released on Friday, outlining the separate operations that led to the apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of weapons and other items.
Asaba hotel raid leads to 67 arrests
Asaba recorded the highest number of arrests during the exercise, following a police raid on a hotel situated along Abraka Road.
According to the command, intelligence reports indicated that suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as Aro Bagger, had assembled at the location for an alleged cult anniversary celebration.
Police operatives moved in on the premises and arrested 67 people, comprising 55 males and 12 females.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of three firearms, including two pump-action guns and one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun.
Other items seized included 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets carrying markings allegedly associated with the group.
The command did not disclose further details about the alleged anniversary gathering but said the operation formed part of its broader efforts to identify and disrupt suspected cult activities.
RRS arrests 15 suspects in Agbor
In another operation, personnel of the Rapid Response Squad arrested 15 additional suspects in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.
The group consisted of 14 males and one female. The police said the arrests were connected to suspected links with the same confraternity mentioned in the Asaba operation.
With the arrests in Agbor added to those recorded in Asaba, the number of people apprehended in the two locations stood at 82.
The command did not provide additional information about the individual roles allegedly played by the suspects or whether the arrests followed a separate intelligence report.
Three men arrested in Ughelli South
Security operatives also carried out an operation at Jeremy Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, targeting a location suspected of serving as a criminal hideout.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit’s Ovwian-Aladja Sector in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group.
Three men were arrested during the exercise, while other individuals reportedly escaped before they could be apprehended.
The suspects were identified by the police as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.
Items recovered from the location included two locally manufactured pistols, two live cartridges and two spent cartridges. Operatives also seized two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and items described by the police as charms.
The command did not disclose whether the individuals who reportedly fled had been identified or whether any additional arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
Delta police record 10 more arrests in Okpe
The fourth operation took place in Jeddo Community, Okpe Local Government Area, where 10 male suspects were arrested over alleged involvement in cult-related activities.
Although the police provided limited details about the circumstances surrounding the arrests in Jeddo, the operation formed part of the wider security exercise conducted across the four local government areas.
The 10 arrests brought the overall number of suspects apprehended during the coordinated operations to 95.
The firearms recovered across the locations comprised two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols.
The police also reported recovering 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges during the exercise.
Other exhibits included clothing and headwear bearing suspected cult insignia, as well as charms recovered during the operation in Jeremy Community.
Commissioner orders sustained crackdown on cult activities
Following the operations, Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale commended the personnel involved and directed area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify efforts against suspected cult groups throughout Delta State.
He warned that the command would not tolerate activities capable of endangering lives, disrupting public order or threatening the safety of residents.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to assist security agencies by providing credible information about suspected criminal activities within their neighbourhoods.
Community cooperation, the command indicated, would remain important in identifying security threats, locating suspected criminal hideouts and supporting efforts to prevent crime.
The latest operation underscores the police command’s ongoing efforts to address cult-related security concerns through intelligence gathering and coordinated deployments.
All 95 suspects were reported to be in police custody alongside the recovered exhibits as investigations continued.
Delta police are expected to examine the evidence gathered during the operations and establish the circumstances surrounding each arrest. Any criminal liability will ultimately depend on the evidence and the outcome of the relevant legal proceedings.
