Police arrest 51suspected cultists at initiation venue

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Delta State Police Command has rounded up a total of 51 suspected cultists amidst their initiation ceremony in the Ogwashi-Uku area of Delta State.

Aside from the arrested suspects, assorted arms and ammunition were recovered from the venue of the ceremony.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday.

He said dangerous weapons recovered from the suspected cultists nabbed in Eiye Confraternity regalia included two cut-to-size locally made guns and one expended cartridge, among others.

The PPRO stated that the Command received a tip-off that some suspected Eiye Confraternity Cult group would be marking their anniversary in Ogwashi-Uku.

Based on the intelligence report, the police spokesman said the command swiftly took action and located where and when the ceremony would be held.

Edafe said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ari Muhammed Ali, consequently detailed the command’s Buffalo Patrol Team, operatives from Area Command Ogwashi-Uku and Ogwashi-Uku Division to storm the venue at Big Apple Hotel in Ogwashi-Uku.

However, the suspects on sighting the police took to their heels, and some of them shot at the police.

“But the operatives gave them a hot chase during which 51 suspected cultists were arrested, together with two cut-to-size locally made guns, one expended cartridge as well as Eiye Confraternity regalia,” Edafe said.

The PPRO stated that the suspects have since been transferred to the Command Anti-Cult unit (SACU) for investigation, noting that those found wanting upon completion of investigation, would be charged to court.

In another development, the Command has arrested one 80-year-old man, Omoraka James, in Kokori for allegedly dealing in cartridges, and selling such to hoodlums who use them in carrying out various nefarious activities.