The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old suspected notorious cultist and alleged member of the Eiye Confraternity, Oghenebuba Mamatime, who had been on the command’s wanted list for allegedly shooting a repentant cult member in Jesse Town.

The suspect was arrested over the alleged shooting of the victim along Ujomi Road, Jesse, after the latter reportedly renounced his membership of the cult group.

Police also recovered three locally made pistols and one locally made single-barrel gun from the suspect.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect became enraged after the victim decided to quit cultism.

According to him, the suspect allegedly attempted to force the victim back into the confraternity, and when an argument broke out, he allegedly shot the victim.

Edafe said: “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, who is a member of the Eiye Confraternity, was unhappy with the victim over his decision to quit cultism. “In a bid to force him back into the confraternity, an argument ensued, which led to the shooting. The suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing.”

The police spokesman said the arrest was another significant breakthrough in the command’s sustained crackdown on cultism and unlawful possession of firearms across the state

He explained that the operation followed a complaint lodged by the victim, whose identity was withheld, alleging that he had been shot by Mamatime.

“Acting on the complaint received from one man (name withheld), who stated that he was shot by Oghenebuba Mamatime, operatives of the Jesse Division, in a combined effort with community youths in Jesse, arrested the 28-year-old notorious cultist and member of the Eiye Confraternity, who had been on the command’s wanted list for allegedly shooting the victim on July 2, 2026, along Ujomi Road, Jesse Town,” Edafe said.

He added that a search conducted after the arrest led to the recovery of three locally made pistols and one locally made single-barrel gun.

Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Oyeniyi, praised the collaboration between officers of the Jesse Division and community youths, describing it as a model for effective community policing.

He urged residents to sustain the partnership, stressing that such cooperation should not be limited to tackling cultism but should also be extended to combating drug abuse, kidnapping and other violent crimes in their communities.

The police commissioner also advised young people to shun cult-related activities and other forms of criminality, warning that the command would continue to pursue and prosecute offenders in line with the law. (The Sun)

Update news