Operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team of the Delta State Police Command have dismantled a suspected cult killing network linked to recent violent clashes in Ughelli town, arresting 11 suspects and recovering weapons and other incriminating items.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the operation followed renewed cult-related violence and killings in Ughelli and other parts of the state, prompting CP Aina Adesola, the state Commissioner of Police, to order an intensified, intelligence-driven manhunt for cultists and other violent criminals.
Acting on the directive, CP-SAT operatives, led by ASP Julius Robinson, arrested two suspects—Warri Ochuko (40) of Orogun Community and Lucky Okohwoake (23) of Afiesere Community, both in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Confirming the arrests on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the suspects made confessional statements during interrogation and provided actionable intelligence that led to a coordinated operation across the Ughelli metropolis.
Six additional suspects were subsequently arrested: Richard William (28) of Uwheru Community; Onorode Pius (27) of Otor-Udu Community, Udu LGA; Sunday Jakpor (20) of Orhunwhun Community, Udu LGA; Victory Ogbemudia (25) of Oleh Community, Isoko South LGA; Raymond Arhiakpore (39) of Agbara Community; and Precious Wanogho (34) of Orogun Community, all in Delta State.
Edafe disclosed that a locally made firearm and four live cartridges were recovered from the first two suspects. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and admitted involvement in the killing of Alex Adanike (37) on January 15, 2026, at the Iwhrekpokpo area of Ughelli, Ughelli North LGA.
In a related operation, CP-SAT operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in the Irapa area of Sapele on January 26, 2026, arresting three more suspects: Kome Temienoro (25) of Jesse Community, Ethiope East LGA; Ogaga Omogene (17) of Ugbuwe Community, Ethiope East LGA; and Biokoro Francis (42) of Okogborode Community, Sapele LGA.
A search of the hideout yielded a wooden-carved pistol, a battle axe, a bulletproof vest, quantities of illicit drugs, and other incriminating items. A white Toyota Venza, suspected to have been used for criminal operations, was also recovered.
The police said profiling and further investigation of the suspects are ongoing to determine the full extent of their criminal activities and possible links to cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, CP Adesola reassured residents of the command’s commitment to eradicating cultism and violent crime in the state. He urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information, assuring strict confidentiality as the ongoing manhunt continues.
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