The Delta State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on cultism and violent crimes, arresting 11 suspected cultists and armed robbers while recovering firearms, ammunition, and other incriminating items across parts of the state.
The arrests followed recent cult-related clashes and killings in Ughelli and other communities, which prompted the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, to order an intelligence-led manhunt for cultists and other violent criminal elements operating in the state.
In Ughelli, operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, dismantled a cult killing network allegedly responsible for recent violence in the area.
Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives initially arrested two suspects, Warri Ochuko, 40, of Orogun Community, and Lucky Okohwoake, 23, of Afiesere Community, both in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Police said the suspects made confessional statements during interrogation and provided actionable intelligence that led to coordinated follow-up operations across the Ughelli metropolis.
Six additional suspects were subsequently arrested.
They include Richard William, 28, of Uwheru Community; Onorode Pius, 27, of Otor-Udu Community, Udu LGA; Sunday Jakpor, 20, of Orhunwhun Community, Udu LGA; Victory Ogbemudia, 25, of Oleh Community, Isoko South LGA; Raymond Arhiakpore, 39, of Agbara Community; and Precious Wanogho, 34, of Orogun Community.
A locally made gun and four live cartridges were recovered from the initially arrested suspects.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted involvement in the killing of one Alex Adanike, 37, who was murdered on January 15, 2026, in the Iwhrekpokpo area of Ughelli.
In a related operation in Sapele, CP-SAT operatives, on January 26, stormed a suspected criminal hideout at the Irapa area of the town and arrested three suspects identified as Kome Temienoro, 25, of Jesse Community, Ethiope East LGA; Ogaga Omogene, 17, of Ugbuwe Community, Ethiope East LGA; and Biokoro Francis, 42, 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.
Police also recovered a white Toyota Venza vehicle believed to have been used in criminal operations.
The Command said profiling and further investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ activities and possible links to cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
The Commissioner of Police assured residents of Delta State that the Command remains resolute in its commitment to eradicate cultism and violent criminality.
He urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to the police, assuring them of strict confidentiality as the manhunt for criminal elements continues statewide.
The development was confirmed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe.
