The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have arrested two notorious cultists linked with the recent gang war and killings in the Dionu axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Recall that about five persons, including a commercial cab driver who was hit by a stray bullet, lost their lives during the clashes between rival cults in the area.
The police said the deployment of special unit operatives yielded results with the arrest of a suspect identified as Diseye Ukulu, with the assistance of a local vigilante group.
The State Police Command Spokesman, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday and sent to the newsmen.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, further said the confession made by the arrested suspect (Ukulu) led the Police to another suspect, where some sophisticated weapons were recovered.
The statement reads, “In compliance with the directives of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to rid the State of criminal networks, the Command has recorded a significant breakthrough with the arrest of Diseye Ukulu, a 36-year-old male from Bayelsa State, but resident at No 25 Nnewi Street, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
“On July 9, 2025, at about 18:20hrs, a combined team of Police Operatives from the Special Operations and Intelligence Team, Hawk Tactical Squad, and Anti-Cultism Unit, Port Harcourt, in collaboration with Diobu local vigilante group members, apprehended the suspect.
“The operation was intelligence-driven, 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.
“Following Ukulu’s confession, the operatives swiftly mobilised to the residence of Achionu Solomon Chukwuma (male) aka Solex and recovered several weapons.”
The statement listed some of the items recovered, including one Scorpion VZ61 submachine gun, one fabricated English-made Beretta pistol, 20 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, two
rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one pair of screwdrivers (sunglasses).
The Police image maker said all the exhibits were concealed in a black bag by the suspect.
“The suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody. A thorough and discreet investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to apprehend other members of the cult group”, she stated.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of. Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has restarted the command’s unwavering commitment to bringing all perpetrators of crime in the State to justice.
CP Adepoju, however, urged residents and members of the public to provide useful and timely information to the Police to enable them to apprehend more criminals.
