Arrested cultist exposes gang’s deadly secrets in Delta

Troops of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 1, Joint Task Force, South-South, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, have killed a suspected cultist and arrested another during an operation in Pessu community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The operation, carried out on Thursday, September 18, 2025, was confirmed in a statement signed by Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, and made available to journalists on Friday.

The statement revealed that the arrested suspect, identified as Stephen Fragene Pessu, confessed to being part of a dreaded gang that has been terrorising Warri and its environs. He reportedly provided security operatives with vital information about the gang’s activities, which include kidnappings for ransom and armed clashes.

According to Bawa-Rijau, troops launched a follow-up raid that resulted in a gun battle, during which one of the suspects, identified simply as Mr. Dele, was shot dead. A pump-action gun was also recovered from the scene.

“The operation is ongoing, with troops combing the general area to apprehend other members of the gang and recover their weapons,” the Army spokesman said.

Commander of 63 Brigade/Sector 1 JTF OPDS, Brigadier MA Shonibare, commended the troops for their resilience and charged them to sustain the clampdown on criminal elements in the region.

He reassured residents of Delta and neighbouring states that the Brigade remained committed to safeguarding lives and property, urging them to continue with their normal activities without fear.