By Sunday Apah
The Police in Akwa Ibom State Command have you arrested ten
suspected cultists and recovered several weapons and other exhibits at different locations in the state.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John who made this known on Saturday in a statement, said it was on 4 August 2026, at about 3:00 p.m., following credible intelligence and as part of an ongoing investigation into cult-related activities, police operatives moved swiftly to Akpatong Village in Esit Eket Local Government Area. They arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang who had been on the Command’s watchlist.
The suspects are Benjamin James, Moses Asuquo, Isaac Jimmy, Akaniyene Ekpo and Aniekan Samuel, all males and residents of Akpatong Village, Esit Eket Local Government Area.
A thorough search of the area yielded one locally made pistol, charms, one machete, a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, suspected cannabis sativa seeds and the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (₦400,000).
Police believe the items are linked to criminal activities. The exhibits are now in police custody, and investigations are continuing to establish any connection to other cases.
In a related incident on 31 July 2026, operatives responded to a distress call from a member of the public reporting that a group of suspected cultists had gathered unlawfully at a guest house.
The group was allegedly firing sporadically into the air and causing panic in the community.
When the suspects saw the approaching police patrol team, they fled in different directions.
Officers nevertheless arrested five of them: Destiny Moses, 20; Boniface Clement, 23; Raphael Offiong, 27; Victor Obot, 27; and Sunday Victor, 23.
Items recovered at the scene included an abandoned red Mercedes-Benz C300 saloon car with visible bullet damage, one jack knife wrapped with a red ribbon, two face caps bearing the insignia of proscribed cult groups, and three empty bottles of alcoholic beverages believed to have been used during the gathering.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects belong to the proscribed Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as De Norsemen Klan.
Police have intensified efforts to arrest other members of the group who escaped and to recover further exhibits.
Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the courage, professionalism and swift response of the officers involved in both operations.
He reiterated that the Command remains determined to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that cultism, armed violence and other threats to public peace find no place in Akwa Ibom State.
The Command also thanked members of the public whose timely and reliable information continues to support police work.
Residents are urged to remain security conscious, report suspicious activities promptly and partner with the police to maintain peace, law and order across the state.
