Police Arrests 2 Suspect from WhatsApp Post Over Cultism, Recovers Firearms in Delta

Two suspected cultists have been arrested in Aviara community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta state after a WhatsApp message exposed their cult-related activities.

The suspects, Donatus Odovo, 29, and Zachariah Okeh, 36, both residents of Aviara community, were picked up after a resident had on October 25 reported that on 22nd October 2025 at about 0812hrs, a video depicting suspected Eiye cult activity was posted on a WhatsApp group known as “Real Men” at the Oleh Police Division.

State Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe who confirmed this yesterday, said that upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oleh Division, CSP Keme Osuluku, detailed his operatives to investigate discreetly.

He said; “At 0800hrs on 26 October 2025, acting on preliminary findings, the operatives arrested the suspect linked to the post, Donatus Odovo (male, 29), of Aviara community.

“Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of Zachariah Okeh (male, 36), alleged to be an Eiye cult leader in Aviara”, he added.

According to Edafe, during a execution of a search warrant at his residence, officers recovered one locally made double-barrelled gun, one locally made single-barrelled gun, and six live cartridges.

He said that the exhibits were secured, and the suspects were taken into custody for further questioning, while efforts continue to apprehend additional collaborators.

In a related development, the Rapid Response Squad operatives of the Command, while on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba–Benin Expressway, also arrested one Mordi Emmanuel, 45.

He was arrested after the police ,intercepted a Toyota RAV4 with registration EPE 189 GN, he was driving.

“The driver, Mordi Emmanuel (male, 45), of No. 74, Family Estate, Asaba, complied with routine checks.

“Inside an envelope found in the vehicle, officers recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol with breech No. 5182207, with four live rounds.

“Acting under the operational direction of the Rapid Response Squad Commander, CSP Nosa Alex, who coordinated the deployment and approved immediate follow-up actions, a team executed a duly obtained search warrant at the suspect’s residence.

“The search yielded one pump-action shotgun with breech No. 20-R-3921, and four live cartridges from the house and premises. The exhibits and the suspect are in custody and investigation is ongoing”.

Edafe said that the Command had tightened the net on violent crime with two decisive operations that led to arrests and the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition.

He said that the actions, driven by credible intelligence, sent a clear signal to cult groups and robbery syndicates that the State is not a safe harbour.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, has commended the vigilance of residents and the professionalism displayed by the officers involved in the operations.

He reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and the unlawful possession of firearms, and restates the commitment to intelligence-led policing, community partnership, and strict respect for the law.

He urges members of the public to remain security-conscious and to share timely, credible information with the police.