Monday, August 10, 2026 - 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.”
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