Delta police arrest three suspected cultists

The Delta State Police Command has arrested three suspected cultists at the Federal College Junction in the Asaba area of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested on March 6 at about 11:30 p.m.

The suspects include Harmony Ohanebum and Garba Jubril.

Edafe noted that items such as a locally manufactured cut-to-size gun with one live cartridge and two Barretta Pistols with two rounds of live ammunition were recovered, adding that there is an ongoing search for the other fleeing gang member.

The statement partly read, “On June 3, 2024, at about 2330 hours, operatives of the CP-DDECOY Squad, while acting on credible intelligence about cultist activities, stormed one hotel (name withheld) by Federal College Junct 5, Asaba. Upon sighting the operatives, the cultists immediately took to their heels, dispersing in different directions, but were given a relentless chase by the operatives, during which four of the suspected cultists were arrested.

“Those who were hiding inside the ceiling were arrested. The suspects, all male residents of Asaba, Delta State, include the following: Chigozie Edwin, a 28-year-old native of Akpuoga Village in Ujodo LGA of Enugu State; James Prince Chukwuebuka,

“A 20 years native of Effiom Village in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State; Harmony Mkemjika Ohanebum, a 30yrs native of Okija Town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State; and Garba Jubril, a 27yrs native of Kogmbotō LGA, Kano State.

“Following the arrest of these suspects, a thorough search was conducted, and two Barretta pistols with two rounds of live ammunition, a locally made cut-to-size gun with one live cartridge, and a were recovered from the ceiling.”

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command had earlier arrested a suspected armed robber during a stop-and-search operation.

The state commissioner of police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, said a ‘stop and search’ police patrol team recovered one locally made gun and two live cartridges from the suspected armed robber.