The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have arrested two notorious cultists linked with the recent gang war and killings in the Dionu axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Recall that about five persons, including a commercial cab driver who was hit by a stray bullet, lost their lives during the clashes between rival cults in the area.

The police said the deployment of special unit operatives yielded results with the arrest of a suspect identified as Diseye Ukulu, with the assistance of a local vigilante group.

The State Police Command Spokesman, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday and sent to the newsmen.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, further said the confession made by the arrested suspect (Ukulu) led the Police to another suspect, where some sophisticated weapons were recovered.

The statement reads, “In compliance with the directives of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to rid the State of criminal networks, the Command has recorded a significant breakthrough with the arrest of Diseye Ukulu, a 36-year-old male from Bayelsa State, but resident at No 25 Nnewi Street, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

“On July 9, 2025, at about 18:20hrs, a combined team of Police Operatives from the Special Operations and Intelligence Team, Hawk Tactical Squad, and Anti-Cultism Unit, Port Harcourt, in collaboration with Diobu local vigilante group members, apprehended the suspect.

“The operation was intelligence-driven, focusing on inter-confraternity rivalries between the D12 and BS secret cult groups, both affiliated with the notorious and dreaded Deygbam cult group, which has been linked to recent gruesome killings in the Diobu axis of Port-Harcourt.

“Following Ukulu’s confession, the operatives swiftly mobilised to the residence of Achionu Solomon Chukwuma (male) aka Solex and recovered several weapons.”

The statement listed some of the items recovered, including one Scorpion VZ61 submachine gun, one fabricated English-made Beretta pistol, 20 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, two
rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one pair of screwdrivers (sunglasses).

The Police image maker said all the exhibits were concealed in a black bag by the suspect.

“The suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody. A thorough and discreet investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to apprehend other members of the cult group”, she stated.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of. Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has restarted the command’s unwavering commitment to bringing all perpetrators of crime in the State to justice.

CP Adepoju, however, urged residents and members of the public to provide useful and timely information to the Police to enable them to apprehend more criminals.

Suspected kidnappers have abducted a government contractor, Lucky Ugbo, in Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government of Delta State.

Community sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ogwashi-Uku that the incident occurred last Tuesday, at about 8.45 p.m. in the victim’s residence, along Isah Road in the community.

According to a woman who lived close to Mr Ugbo’s house, the operation was carried out by heavily-armed gunmen, who invaded Ugbo’s residence and took him away at gunpoint.

“The gunmen were heavily armed and were dressed like security agents. They laid siege in an uncompleted building close to his house and waited.

“Ugbo went out and was just returning to his house when they suddenly swooped on him as his wife came out to open the front door for him.

“The gunmen fired several shots into the air, before marching their victim into the darkness on foot, just as Ugbo’s wife wailed, begging the gunmen to release her husband.

“Many of us who live close by watched the incident from afar. We thought the gunmen were security agents.

“Since the incident, the kidnappers have called his wife twice, demanding the sum of one hundred million naira as ransom for Ugbo’s freedom,” said the woman, who pleaded anonymity.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Police Command in Delta, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident, saying the police have launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

“The police are aware of the kidnapping of Mr Ugbo. We are on the trail of the kidnappers and equally making serious efforts to rescue the victim,” Mr Edafe said.

A yet to be identified 12-year-old girl has been confirmed killed during an exchange of gunfire between police and suspected kidnappers at Obe Hill in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

But police rescued 14 kidnapped victims while one female is still missing as police alongside vigilante and hunters responded to a distress call that armed men suspected to be kidnappers had on Friday night blocked the Fugar-Agenebode road in the local government area where they were said to have kidnapped motorists and killed two people before taking the others away..

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of Edo State Command, Moses Yamu, on Saturday said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the bravery and swift response of the combined security team.

The statement said he assured the public that everything possible is being done to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The statement party reads that “During the encounter, a gun duel ensued along Obe Hill by pipeline leading to Ajaokuta, the security team successfully rescued fourteen (14) kidnapped passengers alive. Unfortunately, a 12-year-old girl was fatally shot by the fleeing kidnappers during the crossfire. One female victim is still unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing to ensure her safe rescue.

“This follows the report that armed men suspected to be kidnappers ambushed and blocked the highway, opened fire on unsuspecting commuters, killing two persons on the spot and abducting others in a brazen act of violence.

“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc commended the bravery and swift response of the combined security team and has assured the public that everything possible is being done to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“The Command extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and assures the general public that operations in the area have been intensified. Additional deployments have been made to prevent further attacks and track down the fleeing criminals.

“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement, and continue to provide timely information that can aid ongoing investigations and security operations.”