The Delta State Police Command has recorded a significant victory in its fight against cultism and violent crime, with the arrest of thirteen suspected members of a notorious secret cult during a daring late-night operation.
Intelligence-Led Operation in Kokori Forest
Acting on what it termed "credible intelligence," the Command's Quick Response Squad (QRS) stormed the Ekraka Community Forest in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area. The information indicated that members of the Aiye Confraternity, popularly known as Black Axe, were gathering for an initiation ceremony on the night of December 20, 2025.
Police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed that the QRS Commander, SP Collins Achem, led a team of armed operatives to the location at about 11 pm. Their mission was to disrupt the gathering before any violence could erupt.
Gun Duel and Arrests
Upon the arrival of the security forces, the suspects reportedly opened fire, leading to a brief but intense exchange of gunfire. The police operatives successfully overpowered the cultists, leading to the immediate arrest of thirteen suspects. Several others, however, managed to escape into the thick forest under the cover of darkness.
A comprehensive search of the area after the confrontation yielded a disturbing cache of items:
- Two pump-action guns
- A double-barrelled cut-to-size gun
- A single-barrelled cut-to-size gun
- A battle axe
- Cult aprons bearing the NBM insignia
- Pieces of razor blades
- Charms and suspected hard drugs
- Several mobile phones
In addition to the weapons, 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 Investigation and Community Call
The arrested suspects are currently in police custody as investigations intensify. The police aim to determine their individual roles, dismantle the wider criminal network, and track down those who fled the scene.
While hailing the operation as proof of improved intelligence-led policing, the incident highlights the persistent challenge of cultism in parts of the Niger Delta. Remote forests and riverine communities continue to serve as hideouts for such violent groups.
SP Bright Edafe reiterated the command's zero-tolerance stance towards cultism and violent crime. He called on parents, schools, community leaders, and faith-based organizations to play a more active role in steering youths away from criminal gangs. The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies to prevent such activities.
