Police foil cult initiation ceremony in Delta, recover firearms, ammunition

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command’s Quick Response Squad have foiled a suspected cult initiation ceremony in a forest within Orogun Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The Operatives also recovered one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, two expended cartridges, seven vehicles, six mobile phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal effects.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe confirmed the report in a statement sent to newsmen in Warri.

The Police image maker said, “The Delta State Police Command has foiled a suspected cult initiation ceremony and recovered firearms, ammunition, seven vehicles and other exhibits during an intelligence-led operation in Orogun Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area.”

According to SP Edafe,”Acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Sunday, 19 July 2026, that members of the Black Axe Confraternity (Aye) were conducting an initiation ceremony in a forest within Orogun, operatives of the Command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS) stormed the location.”

He explained that, “On sighting the operatives, the suspected cultists opened fire, but were repelled by the superior tactical response of the Police, forcing them to flee into the adjoining forest along the Abbi–Abraka axis.

“A search of the area led to the recovery of one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, two expended cartridges, seven vehicles, six mobile phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal effects abandoned by the fleeing suspects.” 

SP Edafe noted that,”All exhibits are in Police custody, while efforts to arrest the suspects are ongoing.”

Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi have commended the operatives for the successful operation just as he reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the fight against cultism and other violent crimes. 

He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing efforts to keep Delta State safe.