Thirteen alleged members of a cult group have been taken into custody by the Delta State Police Command, and numerous guns and other hazardous materials have been found. 

On Saturday, at an initiation ceremony at the Ekraka Community forest in Kokori, the suspects were taken into custody. 

Credible information that members of the Aiye Confraternity, also known as Black Axe, were preparing an initiation led to the late-night tactical operation in the state's Ethiopia East local government region. 

To stop the gathering, police and members of the Quick Response Squad, under the command of SP Collins Achem, were quickly sent to the scene. This was revealed in a statement by SP Bright Edafe, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command.

“At about 11:00 p.m., the patrol team encountered the suspects, who reportedly engaged the operatives in a gun duel upon sighting them.

“The operatives responded decisively, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects, while several others escaped deeper into the forest.

“A search of the forest resulted in the recovery of two automatic pump-action guns, one double-barrel cut-to-size gun, one single-barrel cut-to-size gun and a battle axe.

“Other items recovered included aprons bearing “NBM” insignia, razor blades cut into pieces, mobile phones, charms, and suspected hard drugs.

“In addition, seven vehicles believed to be owned and used by members of the cult group were recovered and towed to the QRS Base in Warri.

“The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine their individual roles, dismantle the cult network, and apprehend other fleeing members,” the statement read.

To improve security throughout the state, the Delta State Police Command asked citizens to stay watchful and to keep providing reliable information to the police.

Source