The Delta State Police Command says it has arrested 67 suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC) during an alleged anniversary celebration.
In a statement on Friday, Bright Edafe, the state police spokesperson, said the operation led to the recovery of two pump-action guns, one locally made cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five spent cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets displaying cult symbols.
Edafe said the operations were conducted by the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU), following a directive from Samuel Erale, the state commissioner of police, to intensify the fight against cultism and related violent crimes.
According to the spokesperson, the 67 suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females, were arrested at a hotel along Abraka Road in Asaba. The police said intelligence reports indicated that the group, also known as ‘Aro Bagger’, had assembled for an alleged cult anniversary celebration.
More arrests in Agbor, Ughelli South and Okpe
In a separate operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, RRS operatives arrested 15 additional suspects — 14 males and one female — over suspected links to the same confraternity.
Edafe said three other suspects were apprehended at a suspected criminal hideout in Jeremy community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, following intelligence about a gathering of suspected SVC members.
The suspects were identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.
The operation was carried out by CACU operatives from the Ovwian-Aladja sector in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group. The police said they recovered two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two spent cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms.
The spokesperson added that 10 other male suspects were arrested in Jeddo community, Okpe Local Government Area, in connection with suspected cult activities.
Across the operations, the police recovered five firearms, comprising two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols. They also recovered 12 live cartridges and seven spent cartridges.
The command said the suspects and recovered items remained in police custody as investigations continued.
Police warn against cult-related activities
Eralе commended the officers involved in the operations and directed area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify efforts against cult groups across the state.
He warned that the command would not tolerate cult-related activities capable of threatening public peace and urged residents to provide credible information to the police.