Delta Police Foils Cult Initiation In Onicha-Ugbo

…Arrests Suspected Cultists, Recovers Locally Made Revolver Pistol, Others

By Daniel Dafe

Acting on intelligence gathered, the police in Delta State, on Saturday, September 25, 2021, foiled the initiation of new members into the Aiye confraternity a.k.a black axe.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, the said Initiation ceremony was ongoing in the bush at Onicha-Ugbo community in Aniocha North LGA of the state before the police interrupted the ceremony.

The Commander, Delta State Anti Cult Unit (SACU) is said to have detailed operatives who stormed the venue for the initiation that night and were able to foil the initiation process and also arrested ten (10) male suspects while others escaped into the bush.

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The statenent added that one locally made revolver pistol with four (4) live and one (1) expended 9mm ammunition and two expended cartridges were recovered from two of the suspected cultist while some weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, one Honda accord car with Reg no. Lagos KSF 586 DU, five motorcycles and a bag containing clothes were recovered from the scene.

In another develepment, on t24/9/2021 at about 1610hrs, operatives of the Command Crack Squad acting on intelligence gathered, raided criminal hideouts in Eri Community near Oleh in Isoko south LGA and arrested one Akpofure Lucky ‘m’ aged 37yrs with a locally made pistol and three live cartridges.

The police said the suspect confessed that he is a member of the supreme vikings confraternity.

Adding that “they will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, CP Ari Muhammed Ali FCIA, Psc+ has called on well meaning residents of the state, parents and guardians to caution their wards to shun all forms of cult related practices.

“Cultism is the bedrock of most prevalent crime in the society today and as such should not be encouraged in any way,” he said.

He also said that the command will remain committed in maintaining the already existing peace in the state, security of lives and properties and as such will not tolerate any one who goes against the law.

To this effect, he has directed Area commanders, DPOS, tactical commanders to ensure continuous raiding of criminal hideouts, black spot and constant patrol of their area of responsibilities, while urging them to ensure that men deployed should be properly supervised to ensure that they remain civil to members of the public and shun all forms of corruption.