Police Arrest Officer, UNIPORT Student Over Cult-Related Violence In Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two men linked to suspected cult activities during an operation at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

One of those arrested was identified as Corporal Onwukwe Godswill, a police officer attached to the Elimgbu Division.

The other suspect, Ifeanyi Israel, is a 200-level student of Biomedical Technology at the university.

Police said the duo was intercepted by the school’s internal security team as they prepared for a possible clash between rival cult groups during the signing-out ceremony for final-year students.

A statement by the police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the suspects were taken into custody and searched.

Iringe-Koko said, “On September 26, 2025, at about 1600hrs, during the activities marking the signing out of final-year students at the University of Port-Harcourt, the University’s Internal Security team confronted a suspected cult member, Police Corporal Onwukwe Godswill ‘m’ attached to the Elimgbu Division and a 200-Level Biomedical Technology undergraduate student of the University, Ifeanyi Israel ‘m’ in anticipation of a clash with rival Cultists on campus.

“Both suspects were taken into custody and searched,,” the statement added.

During the initial search, the PPRO said weapons, including pistols, ammunition, and axes, were recovered.

“A subsequent search of the house of the suspected cult leader, Cpl Onwukwe, by the operatives, resulted in the recovery of the following additional exhibits: one (1) locally made pistol and two (2) machetes,” she added.

The command said the suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody as an in-depth investigation is underway to determine the full extent of their involvement and identify any accomplices.

The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured residents that the command remains committed to tackling crime.

He warned that “there will be no hiding place for criminals in the State” and urged the public to report suspicious activity to security agencies.”

KanyiDaily recalls that a violent clash between rival cult groups recently broke out in Oklo Federal Polytechnic in Anambra, leaving seven people dead and two others kidnapped.