The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old suspected notorious cultist who had been on its wanted list over the alleged shooting of a repentant cult member in Jesse Town, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, identified as Oghenebuba Mamatime, is alleged to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity. Police said he was arrested during a joint operation involving operatives of the Jesse Police Division and community youths, marking another breakthrough in the command’s ongoing fight against cultism and illegal firearms.
The police also recovered three locally made pistols and one locally made single-barrel gun from the suspect during a search conducted after his arrest.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following a complaint by the victim, who alleged that Mamatime shot him after he decided to abandon cult activities.
According to Edafe, the victim, whose identity was withheld for security reasons, reported the incident to the police, prompting officers to launch an investigation and begin a manhunt for the suspect.
He said the operation eventually led to the arrest of Mamatime, who had been declared wanted by the command over the shooting that occurred on July 2, 2026, along Ujomi Road in Jesse Town.
“Acting on the complaint received from one man (name withheld), who stated that he was shot by Oghenebuba Mamatime, operatives of the Jesse Division, in a combined effort with community youths in Jesse, arrested the 28-year-old notorious cultist and member of the Eiye Confraternity, who had been on the command’s wanted list for allegedly shooting the victim on July 2, 2026, along Ujomi Road, Jesse Town,” Edafe said.
The police spokesman explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly became angry after the victim renounced his membership of the Eiye Confraternity.
According to him, the suspect allegedly tried to compel the victim to return to the cult group. When the victim refused, an argument reportedly broke out between them, leading to the shooting.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, who is a member of the Eiye Confraternity, was unhappy with the victim over his decision to quit cultism. In a bid to force him back into the confraternity, an argument ensued, which led to the shooting. The suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” Edafe said.
He added that officers conducted a search after the arrest and recovered three locally made pistols as well as one locally made single-barrel gun believed to be in the suspect’s possession.
Police said the recovered weapons would form part of the ongoing investigation as detectives work to determine whether they had been used in other criminal activities within the state.
The arrest comes as the Delta State Police Command continues its campaign against cult-related violence, which has remained a major security challenge in several communities across the state.
Cult clashes have over the years claimed many lives in Delta, particularly in parts of Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, Jesse and other communities where rival groups have engaged in violent confrontations. These clashes have often resulted in killings, injuries and destruction of property, prompting repeated security operations by the police and other agencies.
Authorities have also expressed concern over the increasing use of locally made firearms by criminal groups, saying the illegal weapons have contributed to armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
In recent months, the Delta Police Command has intensified intelligence-led operations targeting cult groups, illegal arms dealers and other criminal networks across the state. Several suspected cult members have been arrested, while weapons and ammunition have been recovered during raids carried out in different locations.
Commending the latest operation, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Olufemi Oyeniyi, praised officers of the Jesse Division and members of the community for working together to ensure the suspect’s arrest.
He described the collaboration as a good example of community policing and urged residents to continue providing useful information that would help security agencies tackle crime.
According to the police commissioner, the partnership between law enforcement officers and members of the public has become an important tool in identifying criminal hideouts, arresting suspects and preventing violent crimes before they occur.
Oyeniyi encouraged residents not to limit such cooperation to the fight against cultism alone but to also support efforts aimed at combating kidnapping, drug abuse, armed robbery and other criminal activities affecting communities across Delta State.
He also appealed to young people to avoid cult groups and other unlawful activities, warning that involvement in cultism often leads to violence, loss of lives and prosecution.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining its crackdown on criminal gangs, stressing that anyone found violating the law would be arrested and prosecuted.
He assured residents that the police would continue to work with community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders to improve security and ensure that those responsible for violent crimes are brought to justice.