Daud Olatunji
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC) in a series of operations across the state, including the alleged anniversary celebration of the group in Asaba.
The operations also led to the recovery of five firearms, 12 live cartridges, seven expended cartridges and other items suspected to be linked to cult activities.
The police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement, saying the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad and Command Anti-Cultism Unit.
According to him, the operations followed a directive by the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, to intensify the crackdown on cultism and related violent crimes.
Edafe said the major operation took place at a hotel along Abraka Road in Asaba, where 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females, were arrested following intelligence that members of the group, also known as ‘Aro Bagger’, had assembled for an alleged anniversary celebration.
Items recovered from the suspects included two pump-action guns, a locally fabricated cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets branded with cult symbols.
In a related operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female, over their suspected links to the same confraternity.
The police also arrested three suspected cult members at a suspected criminal hideout in Jeremy community, Ughelli South Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.
Edafe said operatives of the Command Anti-Cultism Unit from the Ovwian-Aladja sector carried out the operation in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group.
The operation reportedly led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and items believed to be charms.
The command also reported the arrest of 10 other male suspects in Jeddo community, Okpe Local Government Area, in connection with suspected cult activities.
The police said the recoveries across the operations included five firearms—two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols—as well as 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.
The command added that the suspects and recovered items were in police custody, while investigations were ongoing.
Commending the operatives for their efforts, Erale directed area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify operations against cult groups across the state.
He warned that the command would not tolerate activities capable of threatening public peace and security.
The police commissioner also urged residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in cultism and other criminal activities..
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