The Rivers State Police command has arrested two suspected cultists at the University of Port Harcourt during activities marking the signing out of final-year students.
The command revealed this on Friday, October 3, 2025, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Irinke-Koko.
It noted that the University’s Internal Security personnel intercepted two individuals suspected of cult-related activities, averting a potential clash between rival cult groups on campus.
The suspects were identified as Police Corporal Onwukwe Godswill, a serving officer attached to the Elimgbu Police Division, and Ifeanyi Israel, a 200-level student of Biomedical Technology at the University. Both were apprehended at the scene following the swift intervention of operatives from the Rivers State Police Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU).
A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery two locally made pistols, four live cartridges, two rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one small axe.
Following the arrests, a further search of Onwukwe’s residence uncovered additional weapons, including one locally made pistol and two machetes.
Irinke-Koko explained that “on September 26, 2025, at about 1600hrs, during the activities marking the signing out of final-year students at the University of Port-Harcourt, the University’s Internal Security team confronted a suspected cult member, Police Corporal Onwukwe Godswill ‘m’ attached to the Elimgbu Division and a 200-Level Biomedical Technology undergraduate student of the University, Ifeanyi Israel ‘m’ in anticipation of a clash with rival Cultists on campus.
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“In a swift response, Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) were dispatched to the scene and the suspects were arrested.”
She further revealed that “the suspects and exhibits are currently in Police custody. An in-depth investigation has been launched to determine the full extent of the suspect’s involvement in cultism and other related activities.
“The Police Command is working diligently to unravel any potential networks or accomplices and bring all perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.”
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga A. Adepoju, emphasized the command’s unwavering commitment to public safety.
He assured that all individuals involved in criminal activities will be brought to justice and reiterated that there will be no safe haven for cultists or criminals in the state.
Adepoju further encouraged Rivers resident to remain alert and report any suspicious behavior to the nearest police station or security agency.
The CP stressed that collective vigilance was key to ensuring a safer and more secure environment for all residents of Rivers State.
