Security Operatives Nab Suspected Cultists, Kidnappers in A’Ibom

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Security operatives have arrested four persons suspected to be cultists and kidnappers in Akwa Ibom State.

One English Pump Action rifle, one short machine gun, one locally made revolver, 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition and four rounds of live cartridges were reportedly recovered from the suspects.

A statement issued yesterday by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Timfon John, said the state Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, is committed to combating cult-related crimes in the state.

The PPRO said worried by complaints received by the Command on an inter-confraternity clash between different cult groups in Eket Local Government Area and its environs, the Commissioner of Police gave a matching order to the DPO of Eket Division, SP Felix Ekpoudom, for the perpetrators to be fished out and prosecuted.

According to her, “Based on credible information, operatives of Eket Division arrested Godwin Adam Aka Nasarawa, 35, of Idong Useme Village; Isaac Samuel Bassey, 25, of Assang Usong  Inyong, and Emmanuel Hanson Isong, 29, of Idung Uso Village, all of Eket LGA.”

The suspects, she said, confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity and suspected to be involved in the gruesome murder of one Kufre Usoro (aka Promzy), 32, said to be a member of Klanz Cult group, who was murdered on April 4, 2024.

Also, she said: “The Divisional Police Officer of Eket Division, acting on intelligence, gathered swiftly, mobilised police operatives from the Division to Eket-Etinan Road, and arrested one Victor Usoro Eyire (aka Tender), 35, of Iseyiridua Village, Eket LGA along Eket/Etinan Road.

“The suspect has been on the Command wanted list for being the ringleader terrorising the Eket/Etinan/Ekparakwa axis.

“Further effort led to the recovery of one English Pump Action rifle, one Short Machine Gun (SMG), one locally made revolver, 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and four rounds live cartridges from their group operational base at Ikot Oku Ikono Village, Uyo LGA.

“The suspect confessed to being a member of Black Axe Cult Group. Effort has been intensified to arrest other fleeing gangs and possible recovery of their weapons.”

The PPRO stressed that the Police Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements.