Over 100 cult members from different cult groups have been nabbed by the police at different locations across Delta state.
The Ag. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, in a press release on Saturday 17th 2021, disclosed that some of the cultists were apprehended while police team were on routine patrol.
According to him, “On 15th July 2021, Commander of RRS Delta and team while on visibility patrol along Ibusa-Ogwashi-Uku – Issele-Azagba road after Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, received information that a group of suspected cultist came out from the bush with intent to cause mayhem.
“The commander RRS, led men immediately, the cultist who were armed on sighting the police, quickly retreated back to the bush, but the police did not relent, they chased them into the bush, there was exchanged of gun fire, the hoodlums who could not withstand the firepower of the police threw away one AK 50 rifle with breach No. NA48333 containing a full loaded magazine with 19 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and escaped”, stressing that the rifle was recovered while effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.
Similarly, a cult initiation process was foiled on the 3rd of july, SACU operatives acting on in intelligence gathered that there is would be cult initiation in Ogume Community, Ndokwa west local government area of the state, SACU operative stormed the bush at night, and successfully arrested over 28 suspect, stressing further that eight suspected Aiye confraternity cult members were also arrested in Warri.
“Further investigation and the confessional statement of one of the suspects led to the arrest of one Lucky Eluagu, alias DJ Lucky age 27 years of old Okpe Street Jeddo in okpe local government area, the suspect confessed being a valid member of Aiye Confraternity, disclosing that a face cap with black axe logo were recovered from him.
In another development, “On the 13th July 2021, the DPO Oviwan Aladja Division acting on a distress call that some armed robbers were at a bush bar in Otor-Udu, the DPO swiftly deployed patrol teams to the scene, on sighting the police, they attempted to escape in a motorcycle, they were chased by the patrol teams, two of the suspects escaped while one was arrested.
“On Searching, the suspect Umukoro Collins was in possession of a black bag, on searching the bag, one locally made pistol and one live cartridge was recovered. Manhunt for the two suspects at large is ongoing.
In same vein, “On the 15th July 2021, ‘B’ Division Warri patrol team while on stop and search at Igbudu area had an encounter with three armed men gang suspected to be armed robbers.
“The gangs were armed with a locally made gun on sighting the Police opened fire on the patrol team and on the process Police returned fire, one of them that was armed with a locally made gun was fatally injured while others escaped.
“Items recovered are one locally made gun, one live cartridge and one expanded cartridge were recovered. Effort is ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.
Similarly, “On the 15th July 2021, Eagle-Net Special Squad operatives while on stop and search at Otukutu junction Warri sighted two young men, the suspects on sighting the police attempted to run but were given a hot chase by the police which led to the arrest of one Mohammed Umar, 18 years of Raba LGA of Sokoto State and Aliyu Abubakar 20 years of Danko Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.
“Danko was discovered to sustain a broken arm and injuries on his back which crave suspicion after a thorough search on the said suspects one live cartridge, one mini Techno phone, N3,000, some stick of cigarettes and one lighter was found in their possession. Investigation is ongoing”.
The PPRO, stated that the Commissioner of Police, Ari Mohammed Ali, has mandated Divisional Police Officer (DPOs) and tactical commanders to embark on continuous Raid of cultist hideout, revealing that suspected cultist from different cult groups have so far been arrested, and would be charged to court on conclusion of investigation while urging them to maintain and sustain this Tempo “because Delta state under his watch will never be a safe haven for cultist to hibernates”.
