The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists, a serving police officer and a university student in connection with a foiled cult clash at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
The suspects, identified as Corporal Onwukwe Godswill of the Elimgbu Police Division and a 200-level Biomedical Technology student of UNIPORT, Ifeanyi Israel, were arrested during the university’s final-year students’ signing-out ceremony on September 26, 2025.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Friday, explaining that the incident raised concerns of a possible cult-related conflict on campus.
According to her, the University’s Internal Security Unit first confronted the duo over suspicious behaviour and possible links to rival cult groups. The alert led to the swift deployment of operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit, who arrested both suspects at the scene.
“The search on the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, four rounds of live cartridges, two rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and a small axe,” Iringe-Koko stated.
Further investigations led police to Corporal Onwukwe’s residence, where another locally made pistol and two machetes were discovered. The suspects are currently in custody, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement in cult-related activities and other crimes.
“An in-depth investigation has been launched to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in cultism and other related activities,” the police spokesperson added.
The involvement of a serving police officer in suspected cult activity has raised alarm among residents and stakeholders, especially given the ongoing challenges of insecurity and youth violence in the region.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, warned that the command would not tolerate any form of criminal activity — whether from civilians or officers of the law.
“There will be no hiding place for criminals in Rivers State. We remain unrelenting in our commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state,” CP Adepoju said.
He urged members of the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or security agency, stressing that community support is vital in tackling crime.
Cultism, particularly among students, has remained a serious problem in many Nigerian universities, often leading to violent clashes, injuries, and deaths. The authorities have repeatedly called for stronger security measures and community engagement to curb the menace.
The latest arrests highlight ongoing efforts by law enforcement to clamp down on cult-related violence in Rivers State, especially in and around academic institutions.
