The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dealt a major blow to organised crime with the arrest of three suspected cultists and a security guard accused of masterminding the theft of electrical cables from a church, in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The police said the crackdown, which targeted cultism, drug abuse and infrastructure vandalism, followed sustained surveillance and credible intelligence aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in Akwa Ibom.
Operatives raided a suspected cult hideout off Abak Road in Uyo, where three alleged members of the Vikings Confraternity were arrested. Recovered during the operation were substances suspected to be methamphetamine (Ice), Indian hemp and other drug-related items.
Investigators said the suspects allegedly confessed to belonging to the cult group, while one of them claimed he was forcefully initiated during a ceremony held at the hideout a day before the raid. The suspects, said to be students of a polytechnic whose identity was withheld, are assisting police investigations as efforts continue to track down other fleeing members.
In another breakthrough, police arrested a 32-year-old security guard allegedly linked to a syndicate specialising in vandalising and stealing armoured electrical cables from churches, factories, homes and government facilities.
A search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of cut-to-size armoured cables, vandalised electrical wires and tools believed to have been used in carrying out the thefts. During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted stealing electrical cables from the Catholic Cathedral where he worked as a security guard.
Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare praised the operatives for the successful operations, reaffirming the Command’s resolve to dismantle criminal gangs, tackle cultism and drug-related crimes, and protect public infrastructure.
He also urged residents to continue supporting the police with credible information, assuring them that all reports would be treated confidentially as the Command intensifies its intelligence-driven fight against crime.
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