Operatives of the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Delta State Police Command have arrested seven suspected members of the dreaded Maphite Confraternity as they intensified a crackdown on cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
- +Police arrest seven cultists in Delta, recover weapons
Spokesman for the State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, disclosed in a signed statement made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday that the suspects confessed their membership of the dreaded Maphite Confraternity during preliminary investigation.
Spokesman for the State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, disclosed in a signed statement made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday that the suspects confessed their membership of the dreaded Maphite Confraternity during preliminary investigation.
The PPRO noted that “on July 27, 2026, operatives of the Command Anti kidnapping Unit, while acting on credible intelligence, raided a criminal hideout at Issele-Uku, and arrested Promise Esenjor (26) of Abavo, Wisdom Victor (23) of Umunede, James Wisdom (25) of Agbor, Chinedu Munonye (22) of Issele-Uku, Onyemakonor Collins (20) of Agbor, Unah Oluchi (21) of Agbor, and Azomani Favour (23) of Issele-Uku”.
According to the police spokesman, exhibits recovered from the suspects’ hideouts included one double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, one cutlass, one Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones, as well as other incriminating items.
Edafe maintained that the investigation is ongoing in the matter.
In a separate operation, operatives of Abraka Division, on July 27, 2026, while acting on credible intelligence, “foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road, Abraka”.
The PPRO affirmed that while other suspects fled on sighting the Police, one Wale Morakinyo (27) was arrested.
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 police statement said.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, has 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”.
