The operatives of the Delta State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU) have arrested seven suspects said to be members of the Maphite Confraternity.
- +Police raid criminal hideout in Delta, arrest seven cultists
- +…Foils planned gathering of criminals
The suspects were arrested on Monday when the Police team raided their hideout in Issele-Uku Community in Aniocha North Local Government Area.
…Foils planned gathering of criminals
The suspects were arrested on Monday when the Police team raided their hideout in Issele-Uku Community in Aniocha North Local Government Area.
The suspects reportedly hailed from Issele-Uku and nearby towns and communities and are between the ages of 20 and 26. They include Promise Esenjor (Abavo), Wisdom Victor (Umunede), James Wisdom (Agbor), Chinedu Munonye (Issele-Uku), Onyemakonor Collins (Agbor), Unah Oluchi (Agbor) and Azomani Favour (Issele-Uku).
Yemi Onyeniyi, the State Commissioner of Police, who disclosed this in a statement by Bright Edafe, the Command’s Spokesman, said the raid followed credible intelligence, noting that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are confessed members of the dreaded Maphite Confraternity.
“Items recovered from the hideout were one double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, one cutlass, one Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones, and other incriminating exhibits. Investigation is ongoing”, he said.
He described the exercise as further operational successes recorded by the Command in its sustained crackdown on cultism and other violent crimes across the State.
According to him, in a separate operation, operatives of Abraka Division, on the same day, while acting on credible intelligence, foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road, Abraka.
“While other suspects fled on sighting the Police, Wale Morakinyo, a 27-year-old, was arrested”, he disclosed.
“A search of a bag in his possession led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols and four live cartridges. The suspect is in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects”, the CP added.
He reassured all Deltans of the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against cultism and other violent crimes.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing efforts to keep Delta State safe.
