Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested 10 suspected cultists during raids on criminal black spots as part of an ongoing crackdown on syndicates allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this to journalists at the Command’s headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, the state capital.
She said five suspected members of a criminal gang were arrested on August 4, 2026, at Akpautong village, Esit Eket Local Government Area, following credible intelligence and an ongoing investigation into cult-related activities.
The suspects were identified as Benjamin James, Moses Asuquo, Isaac Jimmy, Akaniyene Ekpo and Aniekan Samuel, all males and residents of Akpautong village.
According to John, a search of the area led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, charms, a machete, a Point-of-Sale machine, suspected cannabis sativa seeds and ₦400,000 in cash.
She said the exhibits had been taken into police custody while investigations continued to establish their connection to other ongoing cases.
In a related development, the Command arrested another five suspected cultists following a distress call from a member of the public on July 31, 2026, about a group allegedly assembled at a guest house and shooting sporadically into the air.
John said the suspects fled in different directions on sighting the police patrol team, but five of them were apprehended.
They were identified as 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 bearing visible bullet damage, a jackknife wrapped with a red ribbon, two face caps bearing the insignia of proscribed cult groups and three empty bottles of alcoholic beverages.
John said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were members of the proscribed Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as De Norsemen Klan.
She added that efforts had been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the group and recover additional exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and swift response, reiterating the Command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and prevent cultism, armed violence and other threats to public peace from taking root in the state.
He also commended members of the public for providing timely and credible information to the police, urging residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious activities.
