Rivers Police Arrest 10 Suspected Cult Members, Recover Arms

The Police Command in Rivers State has stated that its officers have detained ten individuals suspected of being cult members, who are repor...

The Police Command in Rivers State has stated that its officers have detained ten individuals suspected of being cult members, who are reportedly involved in an ongoing conflict that has caused fear among people living in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt and surrounding regions.

The authorities stated that the arrests came after several weeks of intelligence-driven operations aimed at opposing groups, the Blood Suckers and D12, within the infamous Deygbam cult organization, which has been involved in violent conflicts in the heavily populated region.

As per the police, the actions of the breakaway cult groups, who have been causing fear in the city for more than six months, have resulted in multiple fatalities, including innocent civilians.

The representative of the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The statement said, “The Rivers State Police Command is offering an update on the advancement of the investigation and the ongoing battle against organized crime, after a series of operations aimed at addressing a violent conflict between the Blood Suckers (BS) and D12 groups of the infamous Deygbam secret cult in Diobu, Port Harcourt.”

The violent events that began in May 2025 and resulted in several deaths created a deep sense of fear throughout the neighborhood.

Due to continuous efforts, law enforcement agents have eliminated major suspects, seized multiple illegal arms, and brought peace back to the region.

Iringe-Koko provided the following details about the suspects: Diepreye Gogo-Abite (43), Godsfollow Monday (30), Ifeanyi Sampson (28), Gift Emmanuel (28), Friday Godwin (24), Chukwemeka Dike (31), Brown Out (23), and Dieseyi Ukulu (43).

She stated, "Among the items retrieved from the suspects are a Skorpion VZ61 submachine gun, a counterfeit English-made Beretta handgun, 20 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, two rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and a pair of sunglasses."

The police forensic expert mentioned that the weapons were discovered hidden in a black bag at the home of suspect Ukulu, after he admitted to the crime.

She also disclosed that two more individuals, including a suspected arms dealer, were taken into custody after secret inquiries, while a third suspect passed away due to illness while in detention.

Chidiebere Nwaiwu, also known as Daddy, was taken into custody on August 26, 2025, serving as the group's main supplier of weapons. He passed away in the hospital on August 27, 2025, following a sudden illness.

His body is kept in the morgue for an autopsy. Prior to his arrest, Daddy had arranged an ambush to kill police officers assigned to special duty along the Rumuosi/Rumuagholu route due to a land conflict, in partnership with Michael Ejike (also known as Effizy) and Clinton Anwusor.

"Ejike was taken into custody on September 16, 2025, in Imo State, where he had been concealed. While being questioned, he admitted to taking weapons from Daddy's house via his sister, as ordered by Ugochukwu Ukeagbu (known as Ugo King), the head of the Blood Suckers," she further stated.

Iringe-Koko mentioned that the police had increased their efforts to retrieve additional weapons and dismantle the remaining cult networks.

She stated that the Command's previous silence regarding the case was a deliberate move, intended to avoid intensification and to identify any collaborators.

"The individuals involved are currently being prosecuted in court, while the other suspects, Michael Ejike and Clinton Anwusor, will be charged once the investigations are concluded," she stated.

Police Commissioner Olugbenga Adepoju praised his team for their hard work and courage during the "bold operations," encouraging them to continue showing professionalism in the battle against crime in every shape and form.

Adepoju stated that the arrests had contributed to bringing peace to the Diobu area and the entire state, commending locals for their support and encouraging ongoing alertness to eliminate criminal activities from neighborhoods.

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