Delta Police Recover AK-47, Two Pump-Action Guns, Arrest Three Suspected Cultists

The Delta State Police Command says it has recovered an AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns and several rounds of ammunition in separate operations targeting suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists across the state. The command also announced the arrest of three suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity during an operation in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) carried out the first operation on October 4 following intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers.

According to the police, the team stormed a suspected hideout in a bush around Uduere Community, Ughelli North LGA, at about 9pm.

The suspects allegedly opened fire when they sighted the operatives, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The police said the suspects eventually fled after they were unable to withstand the operatives.

A search of the area reportedly led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 55 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun and seven live cartridges.

The police also recovered a knife, a cutlass and a mobile phone from the location.

The command said a manhunt had been launched for the suspects who escaped from the scene.

In a separate operation, operatives of the Quick Response Squad arrested three suspected cultists in Kokori Community.

The police said the operation was carried out at about 12:45am on October 5 following intelligence about suspected cult activities along Ekrakra Road, Kokori.

According to the command, suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity were allegedly holding a meeting at the location when the operatives arrived, causing several of them to flee.

Three suspects — 33-year-old Uzubu Ufuoma, 27-year-old Solomon Ovie and 31-year-old Remember Emuere — were arrested.

The police said further investigation led the suspects to an abandoned building in Okodjerhe Village, Kokori, where an automatic pump-action gun allegedly belonging to the group was recovered.

The three suspects remain in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members who escaped.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, said the command would continue to target criminal hideouts and disrupt the activities of kidnappers, armed robbers and cult groups across the state.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information about suspicious persons or activities in their communities.