ASABA — Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a suspected notorious cultist allegedly linked to a shooting incident in Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government Area, recovering four locally fabricated firearms during the operation.
The arrest followed a complaint lodged by a victim, whose identity was withheld, alleging that he was shot by the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Oghenebuba Mamatime.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, operatives of the Jesse Division, working in collaboration with community youths, apprehended the suspect on July 21, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m.
Police said the suspect had been on the Command’s wanted list over his alleged involvement in the shooting of the victim along Ujomi Road in Jesse Town on July 2, 2026.
A search conducted after his arrest led to the recovery of three locally made pistols and one locally made single-barrel gun.
Preliminary investigation, according to the Command, revealed that the suspect is an alleged member of the Eiye Confraternity and had reportedly targeted the victim because of his decision to renounce cultism.
The police said an argument allegedly broke out between the two after the suspect attempted to force the victim back into the cult group, resulting in the shooting incident.
The suspect is currently in police custody, while investigations have continued.
Commending the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, praised the collaboration between officers of the Jesse Division and community youths, describing it as a model for tackling insecurity.
He urged residents to sustain the partnership by extending it beyond the fight against cultism to include efforts against drug abuse, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The Commissioner also appealed to young people across the state to stay away from cult-related activities and embrace lawful and productive ventures.
