Police foil cult initiation, recover firearms

Police in Nigeria's Delta State have disrupted a suspected cult initiation ceremony, thwarting an illegal gathering in a forest in Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area. The operation, led by the Quick Response Squad (QRS) on Sunday, followed credible intelligence about members of the Black Axe Confraternity conducting the ceremony.

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Acting on credible intelligence that members of the Black Axe Confraternity (Aye) were conducting an initiation ceremony in a forest within Orogun, operatives of the QRS stormed the location.

Upon arrival, police operatives were met with gunfire from the suspected cultists. The police returned fire, and the confrontation forced the cultists to flee into the surrounding forest. The QRS operatives successfully repelled the attack and secured the initiation site.

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On sighting the police, the suspected cultists opened fire but were repelled by the superior tactical response of the police.

During the operation, police recovered several items, including two firearms, a pump-action gun and a cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, along with seven live cartridges and two expended ones. Other abandoned items included seven vehicles, six cell phones, suspected cult regalia, and personal effects. These exhibits are now in police custody.

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The shootout forced the criminals to flee into the adjoining forest on the Abbi–Abraka axis.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their bravery and reaffirmed the command's dedication to combating crime. He encouraged the public to continue providing timely and accurate information to aid in maintaining safety within the state. Investigations are ongoing to locate and arrest the suspects who escaped.

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The Commissioner of Police in Delta, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their courage and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to curbing criminality in the state.