The Delta State Police Command has foiled a suspected cult initiation ceremony in Orogun Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area, recovering firearms, ammunition, seven vehicles and other exhibits during an intelligence-led operation.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS) in the early hours of Sunday, July 19, followed credible intelligence that members of the Black Axe Confraternity (Aye) were holding an initiation ceremony in a forest within the community.
According to the Police, the suspected cultists opened fire on the operatives upon sighting them, but were overpowered by the officers’ tactical response and fled into the adjoining forest along the Abbi–Abraka axis.
A search of the area led to the recovery of one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, two expended cartridges, seven vehicles, six mobile phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal effects believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
The Command said all recovered exhibits are in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
Commending the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the sustained crackdown on cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information that would assist security agencies in combating crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property throughout Delta State.
