A suspected cult member has been arrested by the police in Delta State while two cut-to-size guns were recovered from him and some cult gang members during an initiation ceremony.
While one of the guns was recovered on Mission Road, Sapele, the administrative headquarters of Sapele local government area, the other was recovered at Umunede, Ika north east local government area of the State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Edafe Bright who stated this in a press statement on 27th November 2023, said that the guns were recovered where the initiation ceremony was being held while the other was recovered when search was conducted on the residence of the suspected cultist at Umunede.
Hear him: “On 20/11/2023, the Command’s Raiders Squad while acting on credible information on a suspected cult initiation, stormed an uncompleted building at Mission Road in Sapele where the initiation was being held.
“Upon sighting the police, the suspects took to their heels and fled in different directions abandoning a bag.
“The bag was searched, and one (01) English pump action gun was recovered. The recovered exhibit is in custody, and investigation has commenced, noting that efforts are being made to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects
In another development, “On 23/11/2023, one man (name withheld) reported at the station that while an argument ensued between him and his siblings at his residence in Umunede Community, one Francis Sunday, a resident of same Umunede Community, who was present at the time of altercation was ordered to leave the premises.
“The said Francis Sunday became furiously hostile, and went ahead to pull out a locally fabricated cut-to-size pistol, threatening to kill anyone who tried to walk him out of the residence.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, operatives swung into action, and on 24/11/2023 at about 1230hrs, the operatives of the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol Team stormed the residence of the complainant at No. 7 Old Agbor Road, Umunede where the alleged suspect was arrested.
“Preliminary investigation led the operatives to search his residence at Mbiri Community Umunede, where one locally made cut-to-size pistol was recovered.
“The suspect and exhibit are in custody, and investigation has commenced.
He said that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass assures that efforts such as these would be maintained to ensure that those threatening the safety of all peace-loving Deltans are brought to book.
He also admonished residents to cooperate with the Police by way of giving useful, timely, and credible information to the Police.
