By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye,
Delta Police Command has said officers and men of the command on Wednesday, June 15, through an intelligent gathering stormed a venue where suspected Eiye Confraternity Cult group were scheduled to mark their anniversary in Ogwashi-Uku.
In a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, revealed that the Command swiftly acted on the information and located the venue of the ceremony.
The statement disclosed that on hearing the information, CP Ari Muhammed Ali detailed the Command’s Buffalo Patrol team, operatives from Area Command Ogwashi-Uku and Ogwashi-Uku Division, to stormed the venue at Big Apple Hotel in Ogwashi-Uku.
The suspects on sighting the police took to their heels, while some of them shot at the Police.
They were given a hot chase by the team and fifty-one (51) suspected cultists were arrested, two cut to size locally made guns, one expended cartridge, Eiye Confraternity regalia were recovered. Suspects have been transferred to the Command Anti-Cult unit (SACU) for investigation, and those found wanting upon completion of investigation, will be charged to court.
In a similar development, the Command also arrested one Omoraka James, ‘m’ age 80yrs in Kokori town, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the State.
According to the statement, the suspect’s premises was raided by the Command Raider’s Unit base on information received which indicted him of dealing in cartridges. He was also alleged to be selling same to hoodlums which they use in during different operations.
One hundred and fourteen (114) rounds of live cartridges were recovered from him. In same vein, Eagle Net special squad while on stop and search duty along Sapele-Benin Express way, intercepted a Toyota Hiace Bus with Reg. No. OLG 13 EFR and subjected the passengers to a search. During the search, six locally made double barrel guns concealed in an umbrella belonging to one Mrs. Victoria Itila were recovered. The suspect was arrested and investigation is ongoing.
The CP while urging parents and guardians to monitor and teach their wards on the need to stay away from cultism and vices, warned in strong terms that the Command under his watch will not tolerate any form of cult related activities in the State, adding that the Command will go all out in identifying them, their hideouts, arrest and ensure they are brought to book.