Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have foiled an initiation ceremony of the Aiye Confraternity in Onicha-Ugbo community in Aniocha North Local Government Area. 

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, September 28, said men of the Anti Cult unit arrested 10 suspected members of the cult group during the raid. 

“On 25/09/2021 at about 0145hrs acting on intelligence gathered that members of Aiye confraternity a.k.a black axe were carrying out an initiation in the bush at Onicha-Ugbo community in Aniocha North LGA,” Edafe stated.

“The Commander Delta State Anti Cult Unit (SACU) detailed operatives who stormed the venue of the initiation that night, they were able to foil the initiation process and also arrested ten (10) male suspects while others escaped into the bush

“One locally made revolver pistol with four (4) live and one (1) expended 9mm ammunition and two expended cartridges were recovered from two of the suspected cultist while some weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, one Honda accord car with Reg no. Lagos KSF 586 DU, five motorcycles and a bag containing clothes were recovered from the scene.” he added. 

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Police operatives also arrested another suspected cultist with a locally-made pistol and live cartridges in Isoko Local Government Area of the state. 

“On 24/9/2021 at about 1610hrs, operatives of the Command Crack Squad acting on intelligence gathered raided criminal hideouts in Eri Community near Oleh in Isoko south LGA and arrested one Akpofure Lucky ‘m’ aged 37yrs with a locally made pistol and three live cartridges. suspect confessed that he is a member of the supreme vikings confraternity. They will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.” the statement read. 

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Delta State Police Command CP Ari Muhammed Ali, has called on well meaning residents of the state, parent and guardians to caution their wards to shun all form of cult related practices.

“Cultism is the bedrock of most prevalent crime in the society today and as such should not be encouraged in any way,” the CP said.

He also noted that the command will remain committed in maintaining the already existing peace in the state, security of lives and properties and as such will not tolerate any one who goes against the law.

To this effect, the Commissioner has directed Area commanders, DPOS, tactical commanders to ensure continuous raiding of criminal hideouts, black spot and constant patrol of their area of responsibilities while urging them to ensure that men deployed should be properly supervised to ensure that they remain civil to members of the public and shun all form of corruption.