The Delta State Police Command has arrested six suspected cultists in separate operations in Ika South and Aniocha North Local Government Areas, recovering four firearms, six live cartridges and other items.
The recoveries included a locally fabricated single-barrelled gun, two locally made pistols, a pump-action gun, a battle axe, two cutlasses, mobile phones and a laptop.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Sector III, Ubulu-Uku, arrested two suspects during an operation at Alisheme Community in Ika South on September 18.
The suspects were identified as Destiny Okafor, 18, and Sunday Bryan, 22.
The command said their arrest followed intelligence on suspected cultism and kidnapping-related activities in the area.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspects disclosed their membership of the NBM Confraternity,” the statement said.
A locally fabricated single-barrelled gun, a battle axe, two cutlasses, mobile phones and a laptop were recovered from the suspects.
In a separate operation on September 15, four suspected cultists were arrested around Ogboli Quarter and other parts of Issele-Uku in Aniocha North LGA.
The Divisional Police Officer, Issele-Uku, led a combined team of police anti-cult personnel, vigilantes, hunters and Forest Security operatives in a cordon-and-search operation following intelligence on suspected cult activities in the area.
The operation led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, a pump-action gun and six live cartridges.
In another operation on September 18, operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit, Asaba, intercepted a green Toyota Sienna allegedly conveying suspected illicit drugs and military accessories.
The vehicle, with registration number KP 527 AAA, was intercepted around 4:50am after operatives received intelligence that it was travelling from Onitsha towards Ondo State.
The driver, identified as 45-year-old Isaac Urji from Abia State, was arrested.
The command said a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of cartons of suspected Tramadol and other suspected illicit drugs, as well as military camouflage uniforms, boots and hats.
It said investigators had begun tracing the source and intended destination of the items and identifying other persons allegedly connected with the consignment.