Officers of the Delta Police Command raided a celebration centre of cultists at Ogwashi-uku and arrested no fewer than 51 suspects.
It was gathered that the suspects are members of the Eiye confraternity group who were marking their anniversary in Big Apple Hotel.
A statement by the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright, on Thursday said the venue of the anniversary celebration was raided on Wednesday, 15th June 2022. Adding that while some of the suspects took to their heels on sighting the policemen, others shot at the officers.
The statement reads, “On 15/6/2022, the Command received a tip-off, that some suspected Eiye Confraternity Cult group will be marking their anniversary in Ogwashi-Uku. The Command swiftly acted on this information and located where and when the ceremony will be held.
“CP Ari Muhammed Ali detailed the Command’s Buffalo Patrol team, operatives from Area Command Ogwashi-Uku and Ogwashi-Uku Division, stormed the venue at Big Apple Hotel in Ogwashi-Uku. The suspects on sighting the police took to their heels, while some of them shot at the Police.
“They were given a hot chase by the team and fifty-one (51) suspected cultists were arrested, two cut to size locally made guns, one expended cartridge, Eiye Confraternity regalia were recovered. Suspects have been transferred to the Command Anti-Cult unit (SACU) for investigation, and those found wanting upon completion of the investigation will be charged to court.”
Meanwhile, the Command has also arrested an 80-year-old man, Omoraka James, who sells cartridges in Kokori, Ethiope East LGA of the state. 114 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from him.
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Also, the Eagle net special squad of the Command intercepted a Hiace Bus while on stop and search duty along Sapele-Benin expressway and a suspect was arrested with six locally made double barrel guns.
“In another development, the Command arrested one Omoraka James, ‘m’ age 80yrs in Kokori. The suspect’s premises were raided by the Command Raider’s Unit on the strength of information received that he deals in Cartridges, sells to hoodlums which they use in carrying out various nefarious activities. One hundred and fourteen (114) rounds of live cartridges were recovered from him.
“Similarly, Eagle net special squad while on stop and search duty along Sapele-Benin Expressway intercepted a Toyota Hiace Bus with reg no OLG 13 EFR and subjected the passengers to a search. During the search, six locally made double barrel guns concealed in an umbrella belonging to one Mrs Victoria Itila were recovered. The suspect was arrested and investigation is ongoing,” the statement added.
Edafe noted that the Commissioner of Police in the State, Ari Muhammed Ali, warned in strong terms that the Command under his watch will not tolerate any form of cult-related activities in the State and that the Command will go all out in identifying cultists and their hideouts, arrest them and ensure that they are brought to book.
The CP urged parents and guardians to monitor and teach their wards about the need to stay away from cultism and vices while also admonishing members of the public to continue to partner with the Police by providing useful and timely information that will help in the fight against crime and criminality.
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