The Police Command in Delta State(*67*) has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered 5 firearms and 12 reside cartridges throughout coordinated operations throughout 4 native authorities areas of the state.
The operations, performed on Thursday, additionally led to the restoration of seven expended cartridges, suspected cult insignia, branded jackets and charms, in accordance with an announcement despatched to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday by the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe.
The assertion stated the arrests adopted intelligence-led operations by the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit in Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe native authorities areas.
The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, directed operatives to accentuate the crackdown on cultism and associated violent crimes, the assertion stated.
67 suspects arrested at alleged cult anniversary(*67*)
The largest operation occurred at a lodge alongside Abraka Road in Asaba, the place police stated suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also referred to as Aro Bagger, had assembled for an alleged cult anniversary celebration, Mr Edafe stated.
“A combined team of police operatives raided the premises and arrested 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females,” Mr Edafe added.
The police stated they recovered two pump-action weapons, a domestically fabricated cut-to-size gun, 10 reside cartridges, 5 expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two branded cult jackets.
In a associated operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives arrested 15 extra suspects, comprising 14 males and one feminine, with gadgets suspected to be linked to the identical confraternity.
Three arrested in Ughelli South, 10 in Okpe(*67*)
In one other operation, police operatives raided a suspected felony hideout at Jeremy Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area following intelligence a few gathering of suspected members of the identical cult group.
The operation, performed by the Command Anti-Cultism Unit’s Ovwian-Aladja Sector in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group, resulted within the arrest of three suspects recognized as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.
The police stated different suspects fled the scene.
Two domestically made pistols, two reside cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia, and suspected charms have been recovered, in accordance with the assertion.
At Jeddo Community in Okpe Local Government Area, operatives arrested 10 extra male suspects over alleged involvement in cult actions.
The police stated the suspects and recovered displays have been in custody, whereas investigations continued.
Police warn cult teams(*67*)
Mr Erale counseled the operatives for the arrests and directed space commanders, divisional cops and tactical commanders to accentuate operations towards cult teams throughout Delta State.
READ ALSO: Police arrest 23 suspected cultists, recover guns(*67*)
He warned that the command wouldn’t tolerate cult-related actions able to threatening public peace and urged residents to supply credible info to assist safety operations.
The arrests come amid renewed consideration to the actions of suspected cult teams within the South-south area.
On Friday, the police in Rivers introduced that it had queried and relieved the divisional police officer in control of Abuloma Division and the officer overseeing its police outpost after allegations that suspected cultists renovated the ability.
The police additionally ordered an investigation into the renovation and the doable involvement of police personnel after a video circulated on social media exhibiting younger males recognized by a Facebook person as members of Aro Bagger at the outpost throughout what seemed to be a handover ceremony. Police officers have been additionally seen taking pictures with them.
The police command within the state stated authentic neighborhood contributions in the direction of bettering police services have been permissible, however warned that such assist should not compromise police independence or confer legitimacy on suspected felony teams.
The separate incidents have drawn consideration to issues about suspected cult teams and their actions within the area.
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