Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a 28-year-old suspected cultist, Oghenebuba Mamatime, who had been on the command's wanted list for weeks, over the alleged shooting of a former cult member who had renounced his membership of the dreaded Eiye Confraternity. The arrest was carried out on July 21, 2026, by personnel of the Jesse Police Division in collaboration with community youths in Jesse Town, Ethiope West Local Government Area, following a formal complaint lodged by the victim.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday, July 25, 2026, disclosing that the suspect had been on the command's wanted list for allegedly shooting the victim on July 2, 2026, along Ujomi Road in Jesse, Delta State. According to the police, the victim, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, reported the incident to the police, prompting officers to launch an investigation and begin a manhunt for the suspect.
Upon his arrest, a search was conducted on the suspect, leading to the recovery of three locally made pistols and one locally made single-barrelled gun believed to have been in the suspect's possession. The 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.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, a member of the Eiye Confraternity, was unhappy with the victim over his decision to renounce cultism. According to Edafe, in a bid to force the victim back into the confraternity, an argument ensued, which led 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, and in a bid to force him back into the confraternity, an argument ensued which led to the shooting," Edafe said. The suspect is currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the synergy between operatives of Jesse Division and community youths in the fight against cultism and other vices. He urged them to maintain the synergy, which he said should not be limited to cultism but extended to drug abuse, kidnapping, and other serious crimes in their locality. The police commissioner also advised members of the public, particularly the youths, to shun all forms of cult-related activities, warning that the command would continue to pursue and prosecute offenders in line with the law.
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, often resulting in killings, injuries, and destruction of property. Authorities have expressed concern over the persistent threat of cultism and illegal firearms in the state, describing the arrest as another breakthrough in the command's sustained crackdown on cult-related activities and unlawful possession of firearms.
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