Twenty-eight persons have been arrested by the police in Delta State while undergoing initiation processes of Aiye Confraternity, also known as Black Axe.

They were rounded up at about 3am in the forest around Ogume in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state by operatives of the State Anti-cult Unit (SACU).

Four of the suspects, according to the acting Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Bright Edafe, had already begun the initiation rites before operatives stormed the place and foiled the processes.

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Edafe said two locally made single barrel guns, eight vehicles, six motorcycles and charms were recorded.

He said operatives of the command’s Rapid Response Squad also arrested five suspected armed robbers and cultists.

He gave the names of the suspects as Prince Onotanare (22), Gift Ogbeje (19), Lucky Egere (22), Charles Eungu (25) and Joshua Omatseye (22), adding that they were intercepted along the Otokutu bridge Udu Warri during a routine patrol.

“The operatives of RRS, who had reasons to suspect them, subjected them to a search.

“A fabricated beretta pistol with 9mm live ammunition was recovered from the first suspect.

“They all confessed to be members of Aiye and JVC confraternities. The cases are under investigation,” he added.