The Akwa Ibom and Delta State Police Commands have arrested 12 suspects in separate operations and recovered firearms, ammunition, suspected illicit drugs, charms and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities.
In Akwa Ibom, the police command arrested four suspects and recovered a locally fabricated pistol, suspected hard drugs, charms and other items during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Uyo.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement, saying the operation was conducted following credible intelligence.
According to her, police operatives stormed the hideout at Mbiabong Ikot Essien, off Oron Road in Uyo Local Government Area, at about 7:30 p.m. on July 26.
The property was allegedly owned by a man identified only as Imo, whose surname had yet to be established.
John said several suspects fled when they sighted the police team, but four suspects, aged between 15 and 21, were arrested during the operation.
She said a search of the premises led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, quantities of substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa, assorted charms, plumbing materials believed to have been stolen and several packaged clothing items suspected to be proceeds of theft.
The police spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.
John reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, burglary, drug-related offences and other forms of criminality across the state.
She urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to the police to enhance crime prevention and detection.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has arrested eight suspected cultists in separate intelligence-led operations across the state, recovering firearms, live ammunition and other exhibits.
The operations, carried out by personnel of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Abraka Division, were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and curb cult-related violence in the state.
The Delta State Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said in a statement that the first operation was conducted on July 27, 2026, when operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided a suspected criminal hideout in Issele-Uku.
Seven suspects were arrested during the operation.
They were identified as 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.
Edafe said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Maphite Confraternity, a cult group reportedly linked to violent criminal activities in parts of the state.
Items recovered during the operation included a double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, a cutlass, a Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones and other exhibits believed to be connected to the suspects’ activities.
He said investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement in cult-related crimes and identify and apprehend other members of the group.
In a separate operation on the same day, officers of the Abraka Division foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road in Abraka after acting on actionable intelligence.
According to the police, the suspects fled upon sighting the operatives, but one suspect, identified as Wale Morakinyo, 27, was arrested.
A search of a bag allegedly found in his possession led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols and four live cartridges.
Edafe said Morakinyo remained in police custody while efforts had been intensified to track down and arrest other fleeing members of the group.
Reacting to the operations, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations against cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
He appealed to residents to continue partnering with the police by providing credible and timely information that would assist security agencies in identifying criminal hideouts, apprehending criminal elements and preventing crime.
