Police nab five cultists, armed robbers in Delta
By Adeyanju Esther
The Delta State Police Command has successfully apprehended five persons suspected of involvement in armed robbery and cultist activities in Oghara, located in the Ethiope-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The arrests occurred on July 18, 2024, as part of a planned operation carried out by a Police Special Team.
The suspects are identified as follows: Ochuko Joel Ofoye, aged 35; Michael Anwul, aged 29; Great Ojareri, aged 35; Innocent Esefeta, aged 31; and Ogaga Ebuke, aged 27. These individuals were arrested at different locations within Oghara Town. The police recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition during the operation, which underscores the gravity of the criminal activities these suspects were allegedly involved in.
According to a statement issued by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer on Monday SP Bright Edafe, “the operation was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Julius Robinson.”
The covert, intelligence-led raid was conducted at around 9:30 a.m. on July 18, 2024. The police team targeted three separate syndicates of suspected cultists and armed robbers in Oghara, resulting in the apprehension of the five suspects.
The statement details that Ochuko Joel Ofoye, a 35-year-old resident of Jeddo Community in Okpe Local Government Area, is affiliated with the Juris Confraternity. Michael Anwul, a 29-year-old from Alisimie Community in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, is also a member of the Juris Confraternity and was identified as the custodian of firearms. During the raid at Anwul’s location, the police recovered two AK-47 magazines along with twenty-nine rounds of live ammunition.
Great Ojareri, a 35-year-old from Oghareki Community in Ethiope West Local Government Area, is a known member of the Eiye Confraternity and was also found to be in possession of arms. Innocent Esefeta, aged 31 and a resident of Ibori Road in Oghara, is the owner of a Beretta pistol that was recovered during the operation.
Additionally, Ogaga Ebuke, a 27-year-old from Okpe Community in Orerokpe Local Government Area, was found residing on Western Delta Road in Oghara. He is a member of the Juris Confraternity, and a locally made pistol with one live cartridge concealed inside a shoe was discovered at his residence.
“Suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing,” the statement said.
