The police command in Delta State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered five firearms along with 12 live cartridges, among others.

In a statement on Friday, the command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe, said the suspects were arrested in Asaba, Ika South, Ughelli South, and Okpe Local Government Areas on Thursday.

“Acting on credible intelligence that suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as Aro Bagger, had assembled at a hotel along Abraka Road, Asaba, for an alleged cult anniversary celebration,” he said.

Mr Edafe said a combined team of operatives from the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad, Asaba Sector, and Command Anti-Cult Unit raided the premises and arrested 67 suspects, including 12 women.

The police also recovered two pump-action guns, one locally made cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets bearing cult insignia.

“In a related operation at Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, operatives of RRS Agbor Sector arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and 1 female, with items suspected to be linked to the same Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC),” he said.

According to Mr Edafe, operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit, Ovwian-Aladja Sector, in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Jeremy Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, following intelligence about a gathering of suspects.

The operation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24, while others fled.

“Two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two  expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms were recovered,” the police said. 

He noted that in the Jebbo community of the state, ten suspects were arrested in connection with suspected cult activities.

Mr Edafe added that the suspects and exhibits were in police custody while investigations continued.