A sustained cult-like war has led to the death of about 16 cultists and the arrest of about 50 in recent times in various parts of Delta State.
Scores were also reportedly injured during the onslaught of violence among rival cult groups in the state.
TribuneOnline learnt that Udu, Enerhen, Sapele, Ughelli, Ozoro and Oghara towns and other suburbs are hotbeds of the nefarious activities of cults in the state.
As a result, TribuneOnline gathered that security agencies have upped their surveillance to arrest the ugly situation in these parts of the state.
It was gathered that 36 cult members were nabbed during a raid of some hotels and joints (names withheld) located along the DSC Expressway during a raid carried out last weekend.
The joint police’s sting operation that made the raid was reportedly coordinated from the office of the Area Commander and led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), B Division, Okumagba Avenue, CSP Anietie Eyoh.
Some hideouts at Enerhen community in Uvwie Local Government Area was also reportedly raided by the Anietie-led police special task force leading to the arrest of over 15 cult members.
Cult activities are reportedly at their peak in Udu Local Government Area as rival cult members have reportedly taken over drinking joints and hotels to hunt for one another’s soul thereby unleashing terror on members of the public.
Sources close to the Udu Council of Elders said that within the last two weeks, about nine persons had been killed in series of attacks and reprisals between two rival cults in the area.
President General of the Udu community, Chief Matthew Ukpara, while reacting to the activities of cults in his domain, commended the police for its prompt response to the distress call by the community.
He stated that with the current intervention, the area has remained calm.
ALSO READ:Â Cultists kill cigarette seller in Ilorin
“On behalf of the Udu people, I want to sincerely thank the Delta Commissioner of Police and the Warri Area Commander, as well as other security agents for their swift, respond to our distress call when cultist activities were getting out of hand in our community.
“We particularly appreciate the effort of the B Division DPO, CSP Anietie Eyoh who led the team for a job well done,” he enthused.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta Police Command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the killings and arrests, has stated that the recent invasion of hotels and other hideouts of cultists and other criminals was based on intelligence report made available to the police.
According to him, all the arrested suspects have, since, been transferred to the state command headquarters in Asaba for investigations and prosecution.
and then