The Delta State Police Command has recorded a significant victory in its fight against cultism and violent crime, apprehending thirteen suspected members of a notorious secret cult during a daring late-night operation.
Intelligence-Led Operation in Kokori Forest
Acting on credible intelligence, the Command's Quick Response Squad (QRS) stormed the Ekraka Community Forest in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area, on December 20, 2025. The information indicated that members of the Aiye Confraternity, widely known as the Black Axe, were gathering for an initiation ceremony.
Police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed that the QRS Commander, SP Collins Achem, led a team of armed operatives to the location around 11 p.m. to preemptively disrupt the meeting before it could escalate into violence.
Gun Duel and Arrests
Upon the arrival of the security forces, the suspected cultists reportedly opened fire, leading to a brief but intense exchange of gunfire. The police operatives successfully overpowered the group, leading to the immediate arrest of thirteen suspects.
Several other individuals managed to flee deeper into the forest, taking advantage of the darkness. A subsequent comprehensive search of the enclave yielded a substantial cache of items linked to the cult's activities.
Recovered Cache of Weapons and Cult Paraphernalia
The recovered items from the forest camp include:
- Two pump action guns
- A double-barrel cut-to-size gun
- A single-barrel cut-to-size gun
- A battle axe
- Cult aprons bearing the "NBM" insignia
- Razor blades cut into pieces
- Charms and suspected hard drugs
- Mobile phones
In addition to the arms and paraphernalia, the police seized seven vehicles believed to have been used by the cult members. The vehicles were towed to the QRS base in Warri for further investigation.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Appeal
All arrested suspects are currently in police custody as investigations intensify. The police aim to uncover their individual roles, dismantle the wider syndicate, and track down those who escaped.
Spokesperson Bright Edafe reiterated the command's zero-tolerance stance towards cultism and violent crimes. He called on parents, schools, community leaders, and faith-based organizations to play a more active role in steering youths away from the lure of criminal gangs.
Edafe also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to aid in curbing such activities. This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing while underscoring the persistent challenge of cultism in the Niger Delta region.
