The Delta State Police Command says its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Command Anti-Cult Unit (CACU) have arrested 32 suspected cultists in two separate, intelligence-led operations and recovered firearms, ammunition, a walkie-talkie and quantities of suspected illicit drugs.
In a statement signed by SP. Bright Edafe, on Tuesday, June 17, 2026, the command disclosed that the operatives of the VCRU raided a suspected cult initiation ground in Agbarho Town Ughelli North Local Government Area in the early hours of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, following intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity linked to recent cult related killings in Agbor were planning further violence and initiations. Officers came under gunfire on arrival and returned fire; two suspects sustained gunshot injuries and are receiving medical treatment. The raid led to the arrest of 25 suspects and the recovery of a pump-action shotgun and a cut-to-size firearm.
The statement added that several other suspects reportedly fled the scene.
In a related operation, the CACU raided a suspected criminal hideout in Azagba-Ogwashi on Sunday, June 14, 2026, arresting seven suspected cultists identified as Obore Ndubrisi (26), Okafor Okene (25), Odinigie Sunday (26), Okohur Destiny (21), Felix Abraham (25), Aputa Israel (27) and Okolie Chinonso Peter (24).
Officers recovered a double-barrel gun, two live cartridges, quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Tramadol, and a walkie-talkie.
The police statement said the suspects and exhibits are currently in custody as profiling and investigations continue.
Commissioner of Police CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism and reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling cultism and violent crime across the state.