The Police in Delta State says it has arrested an 80-year-old gunrunner and 51 suspected cultists alleged to be members of Eiye Confraternity.
It was learnt that the octogenarian identified as James Omoroka was believed to be supplying arms to criminals.
A statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe in Asaba on Thursday, said the suspect was arrested in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area.
According to him, the suspect’s compound was raided after “Raider’s Unit on the strength of an information received that he deals in cartridges, sells to hoodlums which they use in carrying out various nefarious activities.”
He said 114 rounds of live cartridges were recovered during the raid.
On the 51 suspects, Edafe said they were arrested at a hotel in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state, where they were celebrating the anniversary of the cult group.
He noted that the State Police Commissioner, Ari Mohammed Ali, based on information, detailed the command’s Buffalo Patrol team operatives from Area Command Ogwashi-Uku and Ogwashi-Uku Division who stormed the hotel during the celebration.
The spokesperson said two cut-to-size locally made guns, one expended cartridge, and Eiye Confraternity regalia were recovered during the operation.
He also explained that the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigations.
