Police Arrest 95 Suspected Cultists, Recover Pump-Action Guns

The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists, together with 67 individuals allegedly gathered for a cult anniversary celebration at a lodge in Asaba, and recovered 5 firearms, reside ammunition and different gadgets suspected to be linked to cult actions.

The arrests adopted coordinated operations throughout Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe native authorities areas on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The police stated the operations focused suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also referred to as Aro Bagger, as a part of efforts to curb cultism and associated violent crimes within the state.

In an announcement issued on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, stated operatives from the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU) carried out the operations following intelligence reviews.

According to the police, the biggest operation befell at a lodge alongside Abraka Road in Asaba, the place officers reportedly raided a gathering of suspected SVC members allegedly assembled to rejoice a cult anniversary.

The operation led to the arrest of 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 ladies.

Police stated they recovered two pump-action weapons, a regionally fabricated cut-to-size firearm, 10 reside cartridges, 5 expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets bearing cult-related branding.

In a associated operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested one other 15 suspects, together with 14 males and one lady, over suspected hyperlinks to the identical confraternity.

The police additionally reported arrests in Ughelli South, the place operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit, working with a civilian anti-cult group, raided a suspected hideout in Jeremy Community.

Three suspects — John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24 — had been arrested, whereas others reportedly fled.

Two regionally made pistols, two reside cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms had been recovered in the course of the operation, based on the assertion.

In a separate operation at Jeddo Community in Okpe Local Government Area, police arrested 10 further male suspects in reference to suspected cult actions.

The Command stated the suspects and recovered reveals had been in police custody as investigations continued.

The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, counseled the officers concerned and directed space commanders, divisional cops and tactical commanders to accentuate operations in opposition to cult teams throughout Delta State.

He warned that the Command wouldn’t tolerate actions able to threatening public peace and urged residents to supply credible data to help safety businesses.

The arrests come amid persevering with police efforts to disrupt cult-related actions and get better weapons suspected for use in violent crimes throughout the state.