Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Cable Theft Suspect in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on cultism, illicit drug activities and infrastructure vandalism, recording fresh arrests in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

Police operatives raided a suspected cult hideout along Abak Road in Uyo, where three suspected members of the Vikings Confraternity were arrested.

Items recovered from the suspects include substances believed to be methamphetamine, popularly known as Ice, cannabis and other drug-related materials. Police say preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects admitted to belonging to the cult group, with one of them allegedly revealing he was recently initiated during a ceremony at the hideout. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members.

In a separate operation, the Command arrested a 32-year-old security guard suspected to be part of a syndicate involved in vandalising and stealing armoured electrical cables and other power installations from churches, homes, factories and government facilities.

A search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of large quantities of electrical cables and tools believed to have been used in the theft operations. Police allege that the suspect confessed to stealing cables from a Catholic cathedral where he worked as a security guard.

Commending officers involved in the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks across Akwa Ibom State.

He warned those involved in cultism, drug trafficking, vandalism and related crimes that they would face the full weight of the law and urged residents to continue providing credible information to support ongoing security efforts.