Police Disrupt Suspected Black Axe Initiation in Delta, Recover Firearms, Seven Vehicles

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have disrupted a suspected initiation ceremony allegedly organised by members of the Black Axe Confraternity, also known as Aye, during a raid in Orogun Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The operation, conducted in the early hours of Sunday, followed credible intelligence that suspected cult members had gathered in a forest within the community for an initiation exercise.

Confirming the development on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said operatives of the Command's Quick Response Squad (QRS) swiftly stormed the location after receiving the intelligence.

According to Edafe, the suspects opened fire on the approaching police team in an attempt to resist arrest and escape. The operatives, however, responded with superior firepower, forcing the suspects to flee into the forest along the Abbi-Abraka axis, abandoning the planned initiation.

A search of the hideout led to the recovery of one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, two expended cartridges, six mobile phones, suspected cult regalia and other personal belongings believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

The police also recovered seven vehicles allegedly linked to the suspected cult members. All the exhibits have been taken into custody as investigations continue.

Edafe said efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects connected to the aborted initiation ceremony.

Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for their professionalism and courage, describing the successful raid as evidence of the Command's commitment to intelligence-driven policing.

He reiterated the Command's determination to rid Delta State of cultism and other violent crimes, warning criminal elements that there would be no hiding place for them.

The Commissioner also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community support remains crucial to sustaining peace and improving security across the state.