Police foil cult initiation in Delta, recover guns, 7 vehicles

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 the operation.

A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright  Edafe, said the operation followed credible intelligence received in the early hours of Sunday that members of the Black Axe Confraternity, also known as Aye, were conducting an initiation ceremony inside a forest in Orogun.

SP Edafe said operatives of the command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS) swiftly stormed the location, where the suspected cultists allegedly opened fire on sighting the officers.

However, he noted that operatives responded with superior tactical firepower, forcing the suspects to abandon the venue and flee into the adjoining forest along the Abbi–Abraka axis.

PPRO said 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 recovered exhibits have been taken into police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations.

Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained efforts to combat cultism and other violent crimes across the state.