Operatives of Delta State Police Command have arrested five suspected cultists while arms and ammunition were recovered during a raid of various locations in towns within the state.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest on Monday, July 22.
The arrest, according to Edafe, was sequel to the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, to a team to go on a special assignment to curb series of cult-related activities, kidnapping and armed robbery in Sapele, Oghara and environs.
The police commissioner also directed the collaboration of the team with Divisional Police Officers at Oghara and Sapele Divisions.
In prompt response to the directive, the team, led by ASP Julius Robinson, on Thursday, July 18 at about 9:30am raided three different syndicates of cultists/suspected armed robbers in a covert intelligence-led operation at various locations in Oghara Town, Ethiope East Local Government Area, where the suspects were arrested.
They included Ochuko Joel Ofoye, aged 35, of Jeddo Community in Okpe LGA, a member of Juris Confraternity, and Michael Anwul, aged 29, of Alisimie Community, Agbor, in Ika South LGA, also of Juris Confraternity and custodian of the group’s arms and ammunition.
Found in his possession and recovered were two AK 47 magazines and 29 rounds of live ammunition.
Other suspects include Great Ojareri, 35, of Oghareki Community in Ethiope West LGA, Oghara, who is a member of Eiye Confraternity and custodian of arms; Innocent Esefeta, 31, of Efisere Community in Ughelli North LGA, resident at Ibori Road area, Oghara; and Ogaga Ebuke, 27, of Okpe Community in Orerokpe LGA, who a resident of Western Delta Road in Oghara and member of Juris Confraternity.
The PPRO said that investigation revealed that Esefeta was the owner of a recovered Beretta pistol, while a locally-made pistol with a live cartridge concealed in a shoe was recovered from Ebuke’s residence.
He stated that the suspects were in police custody while investigation is ongoing.
