The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested 15 suspected cultists throughout a raid on suspected felony hideouts and recognized black spots in Atia coastal village, Ibeno Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, carried out on October 20, 2026, additionally led to the restoration of suspected illicit medicine, two suspected stolen outboard engines, a motorbike, cult-related gadgets and 5 cellphones.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this to journalists on the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, saying the operation adopted credible intelligence supplied by involved residents.
According to her, the raid was ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, as a part of efforts to accentuate the crackdown on cultism, drug-related offences and different felony actions throughout the state.
John stated operatives of the Ibeno Divisional Police Headquarters carried out the operation at about 5 p.m. to dismantle felony hideouts and curb cult-related actions within the coastal group.
She stated two of the suspects, recognized as Ubong Dominic, 35, alias “Don Sars,” from Esit Eket Local Government Area, and Ndifreke Paul, 29, alias “Black Satan,” from Onna Local Government Area, allegedly confessed throughout preliminary interrogation to belonging to the Vikings and Iceland confraternities, respectively.
Other suspects embody Etim Oboho, 46, from Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Area, and 12 others.
The police spokesperson stated investigations had been ongoing to ascertain the suspects’ affiliations, decide their stage of involvement in cult-related actions and establish different people linked to the suspected felony networks.
Items recovered in the course of the operation included wraps of drugs suspected to be Indian hemp, substances suspected to be methamphetamine, popularly generally known as “Ice,” and two suspected stolen eight-horsepower outboard engines.
Other displays included a motorbike with registration quantity KTS 346 WZ, suspected to have been stolen; cult-related berets; gadgets bearing Vikings inscriptions; bottles containing substances suspected to be charms; and 5 cell handsets.
John disclosed that whereas some suspects had been apprehended, others reportedly escaped into surrounding creeks in the course of the operation.
She stated police operatives had been pursuing the fleeing suspects and dealing to get well further displays earlier than bringing these concerned to justice.
The police spokesperson quoted the commissioner as reiterating the command’s zero-tolerance stance on felony actions, including that the command remained dedicated to making sure the protection of residents, guests, vacationers and traders within the state.
She warned people and teams concerned in felony actions to desist, stressing that the command would maintain intelligence-led policing, focused raids and different lawful methods to establish, arrest and prosecute offenders.
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