In its fight against cultism, armed criminality, and unlawful possession of firearms, operatives of Delta State Police Command recorded significant breakthroughs in two separate operations in Agbor and Warri towns through the arrest of two suspected cultists and recovery of weapons abandoned by fleeing suspects.
The two suspected cultists were arrested in Agbor on Saturday, November 8, while the weapons were recovered from a tricycle in Warri after its occupants fled and abandoned it on sighting police operatives.
The Command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the breakthroughs on Tuesday, November 18, said that on November 8, at about 5:35p.m., “the Command received credible intelligence indicating that suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity were mobilising at Ojeifo Street by Iduwe, Agbor.
“Without hesitation, the Agbor Divisional Police Officer, CSP Michaeal Obekpa, led a coordinated deployment of Divisional Patrol Teams and the civilian Anti-Cultism Unit to the scene.
“Upon arrival, the operatives acted swiftly and tactically, arresting two notorious cult members: Agu Nnamdi ‘m’, of Ohumere Quarters, Agbor; and Promise Banco ‘m’, of 36, Iduwe area, Ojeifo Street, Agbor-Obi.
“In a desperate attempt to conceal their activities, the suspects hid a locally-fabricated pistol inside a black nylon, but the vigilance of the operatives uncovered the weapon.
“Both suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue, with efforts ongoing to track down other fleeing members who dispersed during the operation.”
In another development, the PPRO disclosed that on Sunday, November 16, at about 9:30a.m., surveillance operatives of ‘B’ Division, Warri, under the supervision of CSP Josephine Ekebuike, were on patrol along Arubi Street, off DECO Road, Warri, when they observed a tricyclist conveying two passengers and riding aggressively against traffic at high speed.
Edafe stated: “The suspicious behaviour immediately prompted the operatives to engage in a pursuit. The chase continued into First Marine Quarters, where the rider and passengers abruptly abandoned the tricycle and fled through adjoining streets.
“The operatives recovered the tricycle and conducted a thorough search which led to the discovery of two locally-fabricated double-barrel guns.”
Other items recovered at the scene, according to the police image maker, included nine assorted mobile phones, four power banks, and a screwdriver.
He said that the entire area was immediately cordoned off, with intensified stop-and-search operations ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, in his comment, reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks, clamping down on cult activities, and stemming the proliferation of illicit firearms across the State.
He urged residents to remain security-conscious and continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information, assuring that all reports would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to maintain a safe environment where law-abiding citizens could go about their activities without fear.
