Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested seven suspected members of the notorious Maphite Confraternity in separate intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing cultism and other violent crimes across the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the suspects admitted belonging to the outlawed cult group during preliminary investigations.
According to the statement, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Issele-Uku on July 27, 2026, leading to the arrest of Promise Esenjor, 26, from Abavo; Wisdom Victor, 23, from Umunede; James Wisdom, 25, from Agbor; Chinedu Munonye, 22, from Issele-Uku; Onyemakonor Collins, 20, from Agbor; Unah Oluchi, 21, from Agbor; and Azomani Favour, 23, from Issele-Uku.
Police said a search of the hideout led to the recovery of a double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, a cutlass, a Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities.
Edafe said investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in cult-related offences.
In another operation carried out on the same day, operatives attached to the Abraka Division foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road in Abraka following actionable intelligence.
The police spokesman said the suspects fled upon sighting the operatives, but one suspect, identified as Wale Morakinyo, 27, was apprehended during the operation.
A search of his bag allegedly yielded two locally made pistols and four rounds of live ammunition.
The suspect remains in police custody, while efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations against cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He also appealed to residents to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information to enhance security and maintain peace across the state.
