The police command in Delta State has foiled suspected cult initiation activities at Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe, disclosed this on Monday in Warri.

Mr Edafe said operatives thwarted the initiation on Sunday in an intelligence-led operation by the command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS).

He said police operatives stormed the initiation scene at Orogun Community in Ughelli North LGA to frustrate the illegal gathering.

“Acting on credible intelligence that members of the Black Axe Confraternity (Aye) were conducting an initiation ceremony in a forest within Orogun, operatives of the QRS stormed the location. On sighting the police, the suspected cultists opened fire but were repelled by the superior tactical response of the police.

“The shootout forced the criminals to flee into the adjoining forest on the Abbi–Abraka axis,” Mr Edafe said.

The police spokesman said that exhibits recovered at the venue included one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, seven live cartridges and two expended cartridges.

According to Mr Edafe, other abandoned exhibits were seven vehicles, six cell phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal effects.

He said the exhibits were in the custody of the police, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Mr Edafe said the commissioner of police in charge of the command, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their courage and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to curbing criminalities in the state.

He also said the commissioner urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing efforts to keep Delta safe. 

(NAN)