Police arrest suspected killers of Ughelli monarch's brother in Delta

Friday, April 3, 2026 - The Delta State Police Command has raided criminal hideouts and arrested more suspects linked to the murd£r of 31-year-old Alex Adanike in Agbhara-Otor community on January 20, 2026. 

Adanike was reportedly shot and stabbed by suspected members of the cult groups

Back in January, it was announced that 8 suspects had been arrested in connection with the k!lling. Now, more suspects have been nabbed. 

Confirming the development, the Command’s Spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the victim was mistakenly targeted in place of his twin brother, in what underscores the de@dly consequences of cult-related violence in the state. 

He stated that the initial investigations led to the arrest of two suspects who allegedly confessed to the crime. 

However, in what he described as a police breakthrough, a recent raid across Ughelli and Warri, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, resulted in the arrest of two additional suspects identified as members of the same gang. 

According to him, the newly arrested suspects were linked to those already in custody, and also confessed to have participated in the k!lling. 

“All four suspects were arraigned before the Ughelli High Court on March 31, and subsequently remanded in prison,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the mistaken identity angle of the k!lling has also heightened fears among residents about indiscriminate violence and the risk posed to innocent civilians, but the police have defended their strategy to nip in the bud all criminal activities in the state. 

According to Edafe, proactive policing, particularly raids, stop-and-search operations, and intelligence gathering, is critical not only for apprehending suspects but also for preventing future crimes. 

The Command commended officers for taking the fight to criminal hideouts, insisting that sustained pressure would make the state increasingly hostile for criminal elements, urging citizens to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies for the protection of lives and property in the state.