Delta Police Foil Suspected Cult Initiation, Recover Guns, Vehicles, Other Exhibits

The Delta State Police Command has disrupted what it described as a suspected cult initiation ceremony in Orogun Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area, recovering firearms, ammunition, seven vehicles and other items abandoned by fleeing suspects.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS) following intelligence reports that members of the Black Axe Confraternity (Aye) were allegedly holding an initiation ceremony at a forest location in the community.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement on Monday.

According to him, the operation took place in the early hours of Sunday, July 19, 2026, after the command received credible information about the alleged gathering.

Edafe said the operatives moved to the location and, upon arrival, were met with gunfire from suspected cult members.

He added that the suspects were overwhelmed by the tactical response of the police and fled into the surrounding forest along the Abbi–Abraka axis.

“A search of the area led to the recovery of one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, two expended cartridges, seven vehicles, six mobile phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal effects abandoned by the fleeing suspects,” Edafe said.

He stated that all recovered exhibits had been taken into police custody, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and tackling cultism and other violent crimes.

The command urged residents to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing criminal activities and maintaining public safety across the state.