According to the Command, the arrests were made after weeks of intelligence-led operations targeting two rival factions — the Blood Suckers and D12 — both splinter groups of the notorious Deygbam cult. Their clashes have caused several deaths and created tension in the community.
Police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, announced the development in a statement on Thursday, saying the violence, which began around May 2025, had claimed multiple lives and instilled fear among residents.
She said the police had successfully neutralised some key suspects, seized several illegal weapons, and restored calm to the affected areas.
The arrested suspects were identified as:
Diepreye Gogo-Abite (43)
Godsfollow Monday (30)
Ifeanyi Sampson (28)
Gift Emmanuel (28)
Friday Godwin (24)
Chukwemeka Dike (31)
Brown Out (23)
Dieseyi Ukulu (43)
Recovered items included a Skorpion VZ61 submachine gun, a fabricated English-made Beretta pistol, 20 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, two rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a pair of sunglasses. The weapons were reportedly found in Ukulu’s residence after he confessed.
Iringe-Koko also revealed that two other suspects were arrested later, including an alleged gunrunner known as Chidiebere Nwaiwu (a.k.a. Daddy), who was the group’s chief armourer. Nwaiwu was arrested on August 26, 2025, but died in hospital the next day after falling ill.
Before his arrest, he was said to be planning an ambush against police operatives alongside his accomplices Michael Ejike (a.k.a. Effizy) and Clinton Anwusor. Ejike was later arrested in Imo State and reportedly confessed to removing weapons from Nwaiwu’s house on the orders of Ugochukwu Ukeagbu (a.k.a. Ugo King), the Blood Suckers leader.
The police said investigations were ongoing to recover more arms and dismantle the remaining cult networks.
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Iringe-Koko explained that the Command had initially kept silent about the case to prevent further violence and to help track down all accomplices.
She confirmed that the suspects already in custody are being prosecuted, while others will be charged once investigations are complete.
Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the officers for their courage and professionalism during the operations, noting that their efforts have helped restore peace in Diobu and beyond. He also urged residents to stay vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies to eliminate criminal elements from their communities.
