Operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) of the Delta State Police Command have broken up a suspected cult-related killing syndicate linked to recent violent clashes in Ughelli town.
The operation led to the arrest of 11 suspects and the recovery of weapons and other incriminating items.
The crackdown followed a resurgence of cult violence and killings in Ughelli and other parts of the state, prompting the Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesola, to order an intensified, intelligence-led manhunt for cultists and other violent criminals across Delta State.
Acting on the directive, CP-SAT operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson arrested two initial suspects—Warri Ochuko, 40, of Orogun Community, and Lucky Okohwoake, 23, of Afiesere Community, both in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the suspects made useful confessional statements during interrogation, providing intelligence that led to a coordinated operation across the Ughelli metropolis. This resulted in the arrest of six additional suspects: Richard William, 28, of Uwheru Community; Onorode Pius, 27, of Otor-Udu Community, Udu LGA; Sunday Jakpor, 20, of Orhunwhun Community, Udu LGA; Victory Ogbemudia, 25, of Oleh Community, Isoko South LGA; Raymond Arhiakpore, 39, of Agbara Community; and Precious Wanogho, 34, of Orogun Community, all in Delta State.
Edafe disclosed that a locally fabricated firearm and four live cartridges were recovered from the first two suspects. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted their involvement in the killing of Alex Adanike, 37, on January 15, 2026, at the Iwhrekpokpo area of Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA.
In a related operation, CP-SAT operatives on January 26, 2026, raided a suspected criminal hideout in the Irapa area of Sapele, where three more suspects were arrested. They include Kome Temienoro, 25, of Jesse Community, Ethiope East LGA; Ogaga Omogene, 17, of Ugbuwe Community, Ethiope East LGA; and Biokoro Francis, 42, of Okogborode Community, Sapele LGA.
A search of the hideout led to the recovery of a wooden-carved pistol, a battle axe, a bulletproof vest, quantities of suspected illicit drugs, and other incriminating items. A white Toyota Venza believed to have been used for criminal activities was also recovered.
The police said profiling and further investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ activities and possible links to cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, CP Adesola assured residents of the command’s determination to rid the state of cultism and violent crime. He called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information, assuring them of strict confidentiality as the manhunt continues.
