The Delta State Police Command has arrested nine suspected cultists in separate operations in Obiaruku and Issele-Ikpitime, recovering two locally fabricated guns, a live cartridge, suspected illicit drugs and a battle axe.
Seven of the suspects were arrested on September 13 by operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Ubulu-Uku, following credible intelligence about suspected cult activities at a premises on Ghana Quarters Street, Umuebu Road, Obiaruku.
The operatives, acting on a search warrant, recovered a locally fabricated single-barrelled gun, a live cartridge, quantities of suspected illicit drugs, a battle axe, mobile phones and a laptop computer.
Those arrested were Wisdom Enede, 25; Ocheli Solomon, 42; Nnaji Godstime, 23; Izu Thankgod, 28; Kester Adishi, 31; Oghonogho Pentecost, 28; and Adishi Prince, 28.
The command, in a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly admitted membership of the Vikings and Black Axe confraternities and made statements about their alleged involvement in internet fraud.
Edafe said the investigation was ongoing to determine their individual roles, trace the source of the recovered firearm and establish possible links to other criminal activities.
In a separate operation on September 12, the command spokesman said operatives of the Onicha-Olona Division arrested two suspected cultists following a reported cult attack on residents of Issele-Ikpitime village.
He said the divisional patrol team arrested the suspects, Emmanuel Believe, 29, and Israel Nwaobi, 27, both of Issele-Ikpitime, and recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun.
Edafe also said the police rescued a man who sustained a gunshot injury during the attack and evacuated him to a hospital for treatment.
He said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the gang.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Samuel E. Erale, has directed that the sources of the recovered firearms and other persons connected with the suspects be identified and apprehended.
Erale warned against cult-related violence and illegal possession of firearms, assuring residents that the command would continue to act on credible intelligence to disrupt criminal activities across the state.