The Delta State Police Command has dismantled a deadly cult killing network linked to recent clashes in Ughelli town, arresting no fewer than eleven suspects and recovering weapons, drugs and a suspected operational vehicle.

The Police spokesman, Bright Edafe said the achievement was as a result of the breakthrough described as a “decisive strike” by operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson

Edafe stated that the team acted on credible intelligence amid growing public anxiety over recurring cult killings in the state.

Two suspects — Warri Ochuko, 40, of Orogun Community, and Lucky Okohwoake, 23, of Afiesere Community, both in Ughelli North Local Government Area — were first arrested after the duo made confessional statements during interrogation which provided intelligence that exposed a wider network operating across the Ughelli metropolis.

According to him, the team led to a coordinated sweep that resulted in the arrest of six additional suspects: Richard William, 28, of Uwheru Community; Onorode Pius, 27, of Otor-Udu Community in Udu LGA; Sunday Jakpor, 20, of Orhunwhun Community, Udu LGA; Victory Ogbemudia, 25, of Oleh Community, Isoko South LGA; Raymond Arhiakpore, 39, of Agbara Community; and Precious Wanogho, 34, of Orogun Community.

He said a locally made gun and four live cartridges were recovered from the initial suspects while Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted involvement in the killing of Alex Adanike, 37, who was murdered on January 15, 2026, at the Iwhrekpokpo area of Ughelli.

The killing had heightened fears of a renewed cycle of cult reprisals in the area, as the arrests come against the backdrop of sustained complaints by residents over the persistence of cult violence, despite repeated assurances by security agencies that the menace is being contained.

Ughelli and its environs have remained flashpoints, with young men increasingly drawn into violent confraternities that leave communities trapped between fear and silence.

In a related operation on January 26, 2026, CP-SAT operatives stormed a suspected criminal hideout at the Irapa area of Sapele town, arresting three more suspects reminder that the problem extends beyond Ughelli.

He named those arrested as Kome Temienoro, 25, of Jesse Community, Ethiope East LGA; Ogaga Omogene, 17, of Ugbuwe Community, Ethiope East LGA; and Biokoro Francis, 42, of Okogborode Community, Sapele LGA.

A search of the hideout yielded a disturbing cache of items: a wooden-carved pistol, a battle axe, a bulletproof vest, quantities of illicit drugs, and other incriminating materials, he added.

He said the Police also recovered a white Toyota Venza vehicle believed to have been used in criminal operations, the involvement of a minor among the suspects has renewed concerns about youth radicalisation, drug abuse and the ease with which criminal networks recruit young people in the state.

According to Edafe, Police authorities are carrying out further investigations to determine the full extent of the suspects’ activities and their possible links to cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes. (The Guardian)

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