Police arrest 10 suspected cultists, recover firearm, charms in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Police command says its operatives have arrested ten suspected cultists in separate intelligence led operations in Esit Eket local government area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Saturday.

The PPRO stated that the five suspects, Benjamin James, Moses Asuquo, Isaac Jimmy, Akaniyene Ekpo, and Aniekan Samuel, have being on the command’s watchlist.

She said a thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of 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, ₦400,000.00, saying that the exhibits have been taken into police custody, while investigations continue to determine their relevance to other ongoing cases.

“In separate intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the Command, a total of ten (10) suspected cultists were arrested, while a locally made pistol, dangerous weapons, charms, suspected cannabis sativa seeds, cult regalia, and other incriminating exhibits were recovered.”

John also noted that five other suspects identified as Destiny Moses (20), Boniface Clement (23), Raphael Offiong (27), Victor Obot (27), and Sunday Victor (23) were arrested in a guest house where they unlawfully assembled, causing panic within the community.

She said, “In a related development, operatives of the Command, acting on a distress call from a vigilant member of the public on 31st July, 2026, responded promptly to reports that a group of suspected cultists had unlawfully assembled at a guest house, where they were allegedly shooting sporadically into the air and causing panic within the community.

“On sighting the approaching police patrol team, the hoodlums fled in different directions. However, the operatives successfully arrested five suspects. Items recovered at the scene include one abandoned red Mercedes-Benz C300 saloon car bearing 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 unlawful gathering.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of the proscribed Supreme Vikings Confraternity, SVC, also known as De Norsemen Klan. Efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional incriminating exhibits.”