The police command in Delta has arrested 13 suspected cultists in two separate and coordinated operations in the state.

The command spokesman, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Warri.

Mr Edafe said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday by the command’s Anti-Cult Unit, Ovwian-Aladja Sector, in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group.

He said the suspected hoodlums were nabbed in the Jeremy and Jedo communities in the Ughelli South and Okpe local government areas, respectively.

Mr Edafe said the arrest followed credible information on the miscreants’ activities.

“Following intelligence gathering on suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity cult group at Jeremy and Jedo Communities.

“The command’s Anti-Cult Unit, Ovwian-Aladja Sector, in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group, raided a criminal hideout and arrested three suspects at Jeremy Community.

“Two locally-made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms were recovered from them. In the same vein, at the Jedo community, 10 additional male suspects were arrested in connection with suspected cult activities,” he said.

Mr Edafe said the suspects and exhibits were currently in police custody, adding that the command has intensified its investigation into the matter.

He also said the commissioner of police in charge of the command, Samuel Erale, commended the operatives’ efforts.

Mr Edafe said the commissioner had directed all area commanders, divisional police officers, and tactical commanders to intensify operations to curb cult-related activities in the state.

Mr Edafe said the commissioner warned against cult-related activities and urged residents to support the police with credible information.

(NAN)