The Delta State Police Command has recorded breakthroughs in its intensified crackdown on cultism and violent crimes, arresting 11 suspected cultists and armed robbers and recovering arms and other incriminating items in Ughelli and Sapele.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Asaba, saying the operations followed recent cult clashes and killings in Ughelli and other parts of the state.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, had ordered an intelligence-led manhunt targeting cultists and other violent criminal elements across Delta State, a directive that has yielded significant results.
Edafe said operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, dismantled a cult killing network linked to recent violence in Ughelli town.
Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives arrested two suspects, Warri Ochuko, 40, of Orogun Community, and Lucky Okohwoake, 23, of Afiesere Community, both in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
“During interrogation, the suspects made confessional statements and provided actionable intelligence,” the police spokesman said.
This led to a coordinated operation across the Ughelli metropolis, resulting in the arrest of six additional suspects: Richard William, 28, of Uwheru Community; Onorode Pius, 27, of Otor-Udu Community, Udu LGA; Sunday Jakpor, 20, of Orhunwhun Community, Udu LGA; Victory Ogbemudia, 25, of Oleh Community, Isoko South LGA; Raymond Arhiakpore, 39, of Agbara Community; and Precious Wanogho, 34, of Orogun Community.
Police recovered a locally made gun and four live cartridges from the initially arrested suspects.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted their involvement in the killing of one Alex Adanike, 37, who was murdered on January 15, 2026, at the Iwhrekpokpo area of Ughelli.
In a separate operation on January 26, 2026, CP-SAT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a suspected criminal hideout in the Irapa area of Sapele town and arrested three suspects.
Those arrested were identified as Kome Temienoro, 25, of Jesse Community, Ethiope East LGA; Ogaga Omogene, 17, of Ugbuwe Community, Ethiope East LGA; and Biokoro Francis, 42, of Okogborode Community, Sapele LGA.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of a wooden-carved pistol, a battle axe, a bulletproof vest, quantities of illicit drugs, and other incriminating items. Police also recovered a white Toyota Venza vehicle suspected to have been used for criminal operations.
Edafe said profiling and further investigations were ongoing to determine the suspects’ level of involvement and possible links to cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, reassured residents of Delta State of the Command’s resolve to eradicate cultism and other violent crimes.
“The ongoing manhunt continues,” Edafe said, adding that members of the public were encouraged to provide timely and credible information to the police, with assurances of strict confidentiality.
