Police Stop Cult Initiation and Seize Weapons

The police in Delta State have stopped a suspected cult initiation in Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, shared this information on Monday in Warri.

Mr Edafe, who is a superintendent of police, said the initiation was interrupted on Sunday by the command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS) during an operation based on intelligence.

He explained that police officers went to the initiation site at Orogun Community to break up the illegal meeting.

“Acting on credible intelligence that members of the Black Axe Confraternity (Aye) were having an initiation ceremony in a forest within Orogun, operatives of the QRS stormed the location. On seeing the police, the suspected cultists fired shots but were pushed back by the police's strong response.

“The shootout made the criminals run into the nearby forest on the Abbi, Abraka route,” Mr Edafe said.

The police spokesperson reported that they recovered items at the scene, including one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, seven live cartridges, and two used cartridges.

Mr Edafe also mentioned other items left behind, such as seven vehicles, six mobile phones, cult clothing, and other personal belongings.

He stated that the recovered items are now with the police and efforts are ongoing to catch the suspects who escaped.

Mr Edafe shared that the Commissioner of Police in Delta, Yemi Oyeniyi, praised the officers for their bravery. He also reaffirmed the command’s promise to fight crime in the state.

Additionally, the commissioner encouraged the public to keep sharing timely and credible information to support the ongoing efforts to keep Delta safe.