Police nab 95 suspected cultists in Delta

The Delta State Police Command said it has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms during coordinated operations across four local government areas of the state.

The arrests were made in Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe local government areas on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, adding that the operations were carried out by personnel of the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad and Command Anti-Cultism Unit.

According to Edafe, the recovered weapons comprised two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols. The police also recovered 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.

He said 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females, were arrested at a hotel along Abraka Road, Asaba, where suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as Aro Bagger, allegedly gathered for a cult anniversary celebration.

The statement read, “Acting on credible intelligence that suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as Aro Bagger, had assembled at a hotel along Abraka Road, Asaba, for an alleged cult anniversary celebration, a combined team of operatives from the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad, Asaba Sector and Command Anti-Cult Unit, Asaba Sector raided the premises and arrested 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females.”

Edafe added that the police recovered two pump-action guns, a locally fabricated cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two branded cult jackets from the premises.

In a related operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, the police arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female, with items suspected to be linked to the same cult group.

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The spokesperson said three other suspects were arrested at Jeremy Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area following intelligence about a gathering of suspected members of the confraternity.

The suspects were identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.

According to the police, two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms were recovered during the operation.

The command also arrested 10 male suspects in Jeddo Community, Okpe Local Government Area, in connection with suspected cult activities.

Edafe said the suspects and recovered exhibits were in police custody, while investigations were ongoing.

The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, commended the operatives and directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical commanders to intensify operations against cult groups across the state.