Rivers Police Arrest Cultist, Recover Firearms, Ammunition
The Rivers State Police Command has said its Operatives have made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes in the state.
A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, noted that on July 9, 2025, a combined team of police operatives from the Special Operations and Intelligence Team (SOIT), Hawk Tactical Squad, and Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) arrested a suspected cultist, Diseye Ukulu, a 36-year-old male from Bayelsa State, but resident at No 25 Nnewi Street, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Iringe-Koko said the arrest was made following an intelligence-driven operation, focusing on inter-confraternity rivalries between the D12 and BS secret cult groups, both affiliated with the notorious and dreaded Deygbam cult group, which has been linked to recent gruesome killings in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
She said: “The suspect’s confession led the operatives to the residence of Achionu Solomon Chukwuma, ‘m’ aka Solex, where they recovered a Scorpion VZ61 submachine gun.
“This sophisticated firearm is a significant find, highlighting the potential threat posed by the cult group.
“In addition to the submachine gun, the police also recovered a fabricated English-made Beretta pistol. This firearm is believed to have been used in various criminal activities, and its recovery will aid in the investigation and prosecution of the suspects.
“The police also found 20 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition and 2 rounds of 9mm live ammunition. These recoveries suggest that the cult group may have been planning to engage in violent activities, and the police’s swift action has prevented potential harm to innocent lives.
“A pair of screwdriver (sunglasses) was also recovered from the suspect’s residence. While this item may seem innocuous, it could potentially be used as a disguise or tool in the commission of crimes.”
She further stated that the suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody and a thorough and discreet investigation is ongoing, with efforts being made to apprehend other members of the cult group.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to bringing all perpetrators of crime in the state to justice.
He urged residents to provide useful and timely information to the Police to enable them to make more exploits.
Rivers Police Arrest Cultist, Recover Firearms, Ammunition is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
