Police crush cult, robbery gangs in Delta

By Tolulope Oke

The Delta State Police Command has dismantled armed robbery networks and foiled a planned cult attack across Warri, Ughelli, and Sapele, recovering firearms and ammunition in a series of intelligence-led operations.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the operations led to the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of three firearms and 27 live cartridges.

On February 26, 2026, at about 23:35 hours, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team, led by ASP Julius Robinson, raided the Ekredjebor area of Ughelli and arrested Oghenemaro Festus of Upper Agbarho. The suspect was found in possession of a pump-action gun loaded with two live cartridges and is strongly linked to a series of house-to-house robberies in the area.

Following complaints from residents of Sapele about serial robberies by a motorcycle-riding syndicate, the CP-SAT carried out another operation in the early hours of March 1, 2026. They arrested Prince Omanure, also known as Anini, 21, of Ghana Area, Sapele. He led officers to a bush along the Warri–Sapele Road, where a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with eight live rounds had been hidden. Omanure provided information on other members, who are currently at large.

In a separate operation on February 27, 2026, acting on intelligence about a cult gathering in Warri, officers of the Quick Response Squad, led by SP Achem Collins, raided a building on Okwagbe Street, Igbudu. Three suspects, Nelson Mudiagha (Diara), Efe Nyore, and Ebube Ifeanyi, were arrested after others fled the scene.

A search of the premises uncovered a cut-to-size, locally fabricated double-barrel gun and 17 live cartridges. The suspects confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity (Ayes) and admitted planning attacks on residents.

The Delta State Police Command said it is actively pursuing other suspects and urged residents to continue providing intelligence to prevent further criminal activities.