Odita Sunday 
By Odita Odita Sunday
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms, 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges during coordinated operations across four local government areas of the state.
The operations, conducted on October 15, 2026, followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, psc, mnips, to intensify intelligence-led operations against cultism and related violent crimes.
The command said the operations were carried out by operatives of the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU) across Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe Local Government Areas.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females, were arrested during a raid on a hotel along Abraka Road, Asaba.
According to the statement, the operation followed credible intelligence that suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as Aro Bagger, had gathered at the hotel for an alleged cult anniversary celebration.
Items recovered during the raid included two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two branded cult jackets.
In a related operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives of the RRS Agbor Sector arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female, over suspected links to the same confraternity.
### Three Arrested in Ughelli South
The police also arrested three suspected cultists during a raid on a criminal hideout in Jeremy Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area.
The operation was conducted by operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit, Ovwian-Aladja Sector, in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group, following intelligence about a gathering of suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
The suspects were identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24, while other suspects reportedly fled.
The police said two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms were recovered during the operation.
In another operation at Jeddo Community, Okpe Local Government Area, 10 additional male suspects were arrested in connection with suspected cult activities.
The command said all the suspects and recovered exhibits were in police custody, while investigations continued.
### CP Warns Cult Groups
The Commissioner of Police, Erale, commended the operatives for the arrests and recoveries, directing all area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify operations against cult groups across the state.
He warned that the command would not tolerate cult-related activities capable of threatening public peace and security.
The commissioner also urged residents to support the police with credible information to aid efforts to prevent crime and apprehend suspected criminals.
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