The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists, including 67 people allegedly gathered for a cult anniversary celebration at a hotel in Asaba, and recovered five firearms, live ammunition and other items suspected to be linked to cult activities.
The arrests followed coordinated operations across Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South and Okpe local government areas on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
The police said the operations targeted suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as Aro Bagger, as part of efforts to curb cultism and related violent crimes in the state.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said operatives from the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU) carried out the operations following intelligence reports.
According to the police, the largest operation took place at a hotel along Abraka Road in Asaba, where officers reportedly raided a gathering of suspected SVC members allegedly assembled to celebrate a cult anniversary.
The operation led to the arrest of 67 suspects, comprising 55 men and 12 women.
Police said they recovered two pump-action guns, a locally fabricated cut-to-size firearm, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets bearing cult-related branding.
In a related operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested another 15 suspects, including 14 men and one woman, over suspected links to the same confraternity.
The police also reported arrests in Ughelli South, where operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit, working with a civilian anti-cult group, raided a suspected hideout in Jeremy Community.
Three suspects — John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24 — were arrested, while others reportedly fled.
Two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms were recovered during the operation, according to the statement.
In a separate operation at Jeddo Community in Okpe Local Government Area, police arrested 10 additional male suspects in connection with suspected cult activities.
The Command said the suspects and recovered exhibits were in police custody as investigations continued.
The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, commended the officers involved and directed area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify operations against cult groups across Delta State.
He warned that the Command would not tolerate activities capable of threatening public peace and urged residents to provide credible information to assist security agencies.
The arrests come amid continuing police efforts to disrupt cult-related activities and recover weapons suspected to be used in violent crimes across the state.
