Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested 16 suspected cultists and recovered guns, ammunition and other incriminating items during separate intelligence-led operations in Ika North East and Sapele Local Government Areas.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said the arrests were made by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following raids on suspected criminal hideouts in Illabor and Amukpe communities.

According to Edafe, eight suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity were arrested on July 17, 2026, during a raid on a hideout in Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area.

Items recovered from the suspects include three locally fabricated pistols, six live cartridges, eight rounds of live ammunition, two axes, two suspected cannabis grinders and other incriminating exhibits.

He said preliminary investigations linked the suspects to cult-related activities within the Sapele axis, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

In a separate operation, another eight suspects were arrested over the alleged attack on a male resident of Illabor Community in Ika North East Local Government Area with a cut-to-size gun.

Edafe disclosed that the suspects confessed during preliminary interrogation to being members of the Eiye Confraternity.

He added that all 16 suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to determine their involvement in other cult-related crimes and to track down additional members of the groups. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.