By Onomiguren Agbamu
The Delta State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of the notorious Maphite confraternity and recovered a cache of arms and other incriminating items during a raid on a criminal hideout in Issele-Uku.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU) on July 27, followed credible intelligence, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
Those arrested were identified as Promise Esenjor, 26, of Abavo; Wisdom Victor, 23, of Umunede; James Wisdom, 25, of Agbor; Chinedu Munonye, 22, of Issele-Uku; Onyemakonor Collins, 20, of Agbor; Unah Oluchi, 21, of Agbor; and Azomani Favour, 23, of Issele-Uku.
Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects confessed to being members of the Maphite confraternity.
Items recovered from the hideout included one double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, one cutlass, a Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones and other exhibits believed to be linked to criminal activities.
Edafe said investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in cult-related and other violent crimes.
In a separate operation on the same day, operatives attached to the Abraka Division foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road, Abraka.
The police spokesperson said the suspects fled upon sighting the operatives, but one of them, identified as Wale Morakinyo, 27, was apprehended.
A search conducted on a bag allegedly in his possession led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols and four live cartridges.
The suspect is currently in police custody, while efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing members of the group.
Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and the ongoing fight against cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
He appealed to residents to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information that would aid efforts to rid Delta State of criminal elements.
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