The Delta State Police Command has arrested nine suspected cultists in separate operations at Obiaruku and Issele-Ikpitime, recovering two locally fabricated firearms, a live cartridge, suspected illicit drugs and a battle axe.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
According to the police, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Ubulu-Uku, acting on credible intelligence, executed a search warrant on September 13 at premises along Ghana Quarters Street, Umuebu Road, Obiaruku.
The operation reportedly led to the recovery of a locally fabricated single-barrelled gun, one live cartridge, quantities of suspected illicit drugs, a battle axe, mobile phones and a laptop computer.
Seven suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Wisdom Enede, 25; Ocheli Solomon, 42; Nnaji Godstime, 23; Izu Thankgod, 28; Kester Adishi, 31; Oghonogho Pentecost, 28; and Adishi Prince, 28.
The police said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly admitted membership of the Vikings and Black Axe confraternities and made statements concerning their alleged involvement in internet fraud.
The Command, however, said investigations were ongoing to determine the individual roles of the suspects, establish the source of the recovered firearm and ascertain whether they have links to other criminal activities.
Two Arrested After Cult-Related Attack
In a separate incident, police operatives attached to the Onicha-Olona Division arrested two suspects following a reported cult-related attack on residents of Issele-Ikpitime Village on September 12.
The suspects, identified as Emmanuel Believe, 29, and Israel Nwaobi, 27, both of Issele-Ikpitime Village, were arrested after the Divisional patrol team was deployed to the area.
Police said a locally made cut-to-size gun was recovered from the suspects.
The operatives also rescued a man who sustained a gunshot injury during the attack and took him to a hospital for medical treatment.
The Command said efforts were continuing to identify and arrest other members of the group allegedly involved in the incident.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, directed investigators to trace the sources of the recovered firearms and identify other persons connected to the suspects.
He also warned against cult-related violence and the illegal possession of firearms, assuring residents that the Command would continue to act on credible intelligence to disrupt criminal activities across the state.
The suspects remain under investigation, and the allegations against them have not been established in court.
