THE Delta State Police Command says it has arrested 67 suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC) during their anniversary celebration.
News Point Nigeria reports that Bright Edafe, the police spokesperson in the state, said in a statement on Friday that the operation led to the recovery of two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, 11 caps bearing suspected cult insignia and two jackets branded with cult symbols.
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Edafe said the operations were carried out by the Department of Operations, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Command Anti-Cultism Unit (CACU), in line with the directive of the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, to intensify the fight against cultism and related violent crimes.
The police spokesperson said the suspects, comprising 55 males and 12 females, were arrested at a hotel along Abraka Road in Asaba following intelligence that the group, also known as ‘Aro Bagger’, had gathered for an alleged cult anniversary celebration.
In a related operation in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, RRS operatives arrested 15 additional suspects, comprising 14 males and one female, over suspected links to the same confraternity.
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Edafe said three other suspects were arrested at a suspected criminal hideout in Jeremy community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, following intelligence about a gathering of suspected SVC members.
The suspects were identified as John Pius, 32; Oghene Ochuko, 28; and Akinbule Godstime, 24.
The operation, conducted by CACU operatives from the Ovwian-Aladja sector in collaboration with a civilian anti-cult group, led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two caps bearing suspected cult insignia and suspected charms.
The police spokesperson added that 10 other male suspects were arrested in Jeddo community, Okpe Local Government Area, in connection with suspected cult activities.
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Five firearms, comprising two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated cut-to-size gun and two locally made pistols, were recovered during the operations, alongside 12 live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.
The command said the suspects and recovered items were in police custody, while investigations were ongoing.
