By Gracia Oji
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, has raised the alarm over the growing menace of cultism, drug abuse and other violent crimes in the state, warning that the command will not tolerate criminal activities.
The police chief also read the riot act to officers and men of the command, warning that any personnel found violating the fundamental human rights of citizens or abusing their powers would face appropriate disciplinary action.
E rale gave the warning during his familiarisation tour of police formations and engagements with key stakeholders following his assumption of duty as the 25th Commissioner of Police in Delta State.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the commissioner used the engagements to address security challenges, police discipline and the need for stronger collaboration between the police and members of the public.
As part of the tour, Erale visited the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, where they discussed critical security concerns, including cultism, drug abuse and land disputes.
The commissioner also visited the Asaba Area Command, where he interacted with officers and men, stressing the need for discipline, professionalism and respect for the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.
During the engagements, Erale emphasised the importance of credible and timely information in intelligence gathering and crime prevention. He urged residents to report suspicious activities to the police, assuring them that all information received would be properly assessed and acted upon.
He, however, warned against the deliberate provision of false or malicious information aimed at implicating innocent persons, stressing that such conduct could attract prosecution.
The police commissioner expressed particular concern over the growing menace of drug abuse among youths, describing it as a threat to the nation’s future workforce. He called for collective efforts by parents, community leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders to tackle the problem.
Erale also reaffirmed that no police officer, irrespective of rank, had the authority to violate the fundamental human rights of any citizen, adding that police personnel were equally entitled to the protection of their lawful rights.
He urged members of the public to shun self-help and jungle justice, warning vigilante groups against operating illegal detention facilities.
The commissioner directed that all arrested suspects be promptly handed over to the nearest police station, stressing that no individual or group had the right to take the law into their own hands.
He charged officers to prioritise intelligence-led policing, discipline, accountability and respect for human dignity, while assuring residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, safeguarding fundamental human rights and delivering professional, responsive and people-oriented policing.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspects in separate operations targeting cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping, recovering a locally made firearm, four live cartridges, one expended cartridge and a cutlass.
Edafe, who provided details of the operations, said operatives of the command’s Quick Response Squad (QRS), acting on credible intelligence, trailed and arrested a 37-year-old suspect, Adogbeji Johnson, alias Highman, in Abraka on October 10, 2026.
The suspect, believed to be a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, also known as Aiye, is being investigated for alleged involvement in cultism and armed robbery.
A search of his Toyota Sienna vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of one locally made firearm, two live cartridges and a cutlass.
Edafe said the suspect remained in police custody while investigations continued.
In a separate operation on the same date, operatives of the command’s State Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Ubulu-Uku, in collaboration with officers of the Ogwashi-Uku Division, the Civilian Anti-Cult Unit, Ubulu-Uku, and local vigilantes, conducted a joint raid at Ubulunor.
The operation led to the arrest of a 20-year-old suspect, Musa Mohammed, over suspected involvement in kidnapping activities.
According to the police spokesman, two live cartridges and one expended cartridge were recovered during the operation.
Mohammed is also in custody as investigations continue.
Erale reiterated the command’s resolve to combat violent crimes through intelligence-led policing and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to support ongoing security operations.
