The Delta police command says it has arrested 67 suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC) during their anniversary celebration.
Bright Edafe, the police spokesperson in the state, said in
a statement on Friday that the operation led to the recovery of two pump-action
guns, one 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.
Edafe said the operations were carried out by the department
of operations, rapid response squad (RRS) and command anti-cultism unit (CACU)
in line with the directive of Samuel Erale, the state commissioner of police,
to intensify the fight against cultism and related violent crimes.
The police spokesperson said the suspects, comprising 55
males and 12 females, were arrested at a hotel along Abraka Road in Asaba
following intelligence that the group also known as ‘Aro Bagger’, had gathered
for an alleged cult anniversary celebration.
In a related operation in Agbor, Ika South LGA, RRS
operatives arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female,
over suspected links to the same confraternity.
Edafe said three other suspects were arrested at a suspected
criminal hideout in Jeremy community, Ughelli South LGA, following intelligence
about a gathering of suspected SVC members.
The suspects were identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene
Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.
The operation, conducted by CACU operatives from the
Ovwian-Aladja sector in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group, led to
the recovery of two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended
cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms.
The police spokesperson added that 10 other male suspects
were arrested in Jeddo community, Okpe LGA, in connection with suspected cult
activities.
Five firearms, comprising two pump-action guns, one locally
fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols, were recovered during
the operations, alongside 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.
The command said the suspects and recovered items were in
police custody, while investigations were ongoing.
Eralе commended the operatives and 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 cult-related
activities capable of threatening public peace and urged residents to provide
credible information to the police.
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