Delta State Police Command arrests cultists and gun dealers in two operations, recovering firearms and ammunition across Aviara and Asaba.

Delta State Police Command has arrested a gang of suspected cultists and gun peddlers, recovering multiple firearms and ammunition in a series of decisive operations.

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The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, confirming that the arrests were made in separate raids across Aviara and Asaba communities.

According to the statement, the first operation followed a report from a resident of Aviara community under Oleh Division, who alerted the police after a video showing alleged Eiye cult activity surfaced on a WhatsApp group named “Real Men”.

Acting swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer of Oleh Division, CSP Keme Osuluku, deployed operatives who arrested Donatus Odovo (29), the suspect linked to the post, and later apprehended Zachariah Okeh (36), alleged to be a leader of the Eiye cult in Aviara.

A search of Okeh’s residence led to the recovery of two locally made guns and six live cartridges, which were secured as evidence while both suspects were detained for further investigation.

In a separate operation on October 27, 2025, officers of the Rapid Response Squad intercepted a Toyota RAV4 along the Asaba–Benin Expressway. The driver, Mordi Emmanuel (45), was found with a fabricated Beretta pistol and four live rounds concealed in an envelope.

A follow-up search at Emmanuel’s residence yielded a pump-action shotgun and additional ammunition. Both the suspect and the recovered weapons are currently in police custody.

Commending the success of the operations, Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, praised residents for their vigilance and reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms.

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He emphasised that the Delta State Police Command will continue to rely on intelligence-led policing and community partnership to strengthen public safety.

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