Police foil black axe cult initiation in Delta forest, recover arms, vehicles

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have foiled a suspected mass initiation ceremony organised by members of the Black Axe Confraternity, popularly known as the Aye cult group, during a raid on a forest hideout in Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The operation, carried out by the command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS) in the early hours of Sunday, July 19, followed intelligence reports that suspected cult members had gathered in a remote forest to induct new members.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the operatives came under heavy gunfire as they approached the location. The officers responded, forcing the suspects to flee into the adjoining forest along the Abbi–Abraka axis.

Edafe said the superior firepower of the police compelled the suspected cultists to abandon the site and escape, adding that no casualties were recorded among the officers.

Although no arrests were made during the operation due to the difficult terrain, the police recovered several items believed to have been used by the group.

The recovered exhibits include one pump-action shotgun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, two expended cartridges, seven vehicles, six mobile phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal belongings left behind by the fleeing suspects.

The police said the recovered vehicles and other items have been taken into custody for further investigation, including forensic examination and verification of ownership.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for the successful operation, describing it as part of the command’s sustained efforts to dismantle cult groups and curb violent crime across the state.

He said the command remains committed to identifying and apprehending all those involved in cult-related activities and other criminal acts.

The police also disclosed that anti-cultism operatives have been deployed to hospitals and communities around the Abbi–Abraka axis to track down suspects who may have sustained injuries during the gun battle.

The command urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist in the arrest of the fleeing suspects, especially by reporting suspicious gatherings in forests or isolated locations.