Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of eight suspected cultists and the recovery of firearms, live ammunition and other incriminating items during separate intelligence-led operations in Issele-Uku and Abraka.
The command said seven of the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite Confraternity, while another suspect was arrested with two locally fabricated pistols and live cartridges.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, operatives of the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU) carried out a raid on a criminal hideout in Issele-Uku on July 27 following credible intelligence.
The police identified the suspects as Promise Esenjor, 26, of Abavo; Wisdom Victor, 23, of Umunede; James Wisdom, 25, of Agbor; Chinedu Munonye, 22, of Issele-Uku; Onyemakonor Collins, 20, of Agbor; Unah Oluchi, 21, of Agbor; and Azomani Favour, 23, of Issele-Uku.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to being members of the Maphite cult group.
Items recovered from the hideout included one double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, one cutlass, a Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones and other exhibits believed to be linked to criminal activities.
“The suspects are confessed members of the dreaded Maphite Confraternity,” the police said, adding that investigations were ongoing.
In a separate operation on the same day, operatives attached to Abraka Division reportedly foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road in Abraka.
The police said several suspects fled on sighting the operatives, but one suspect, identified as Wale Morakinyo, 27, was arrested.
A search conducted on a bag allegedly found in his possession led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols and four live cartridges.
The suspect remains in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, the command said.
Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations against cultism and other violent crimes.
He urged residents of the state to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at improving public safety.
