…recover firearms, charms, cannabis in major crackdown
By Ime Silas
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has made significant gains in its fight against cultism and violent crime after arresting 10 suspected cultists and recovering firearms, dangerous weapons, and suspected narcotics in two separate operations across the state.
In a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO ), DSP Timfon John, and released on August 8, 2026, the Command said the arrests were the result of intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in Akwa Ibom.
According to the statement, the first operation took place on August 4, 2026 at about 3:00 p.m. in Akpatong Village, Esit Eket Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence linked to an ongoing investigation into cult-related activities, police operatives moved in and arrested five men who had been on the Command’s watchlist.
The suspects were identified as Benjamin James, Moses Asuquo, Isaac Jimmy, Akaniyene Ekpo, and Aniekan Samuel. All are residents of Akpatong Village.
During a search of the area, police said they recovered one locally made pistol, charms, one machete, a Point-of-Sale machine, suspected cannabis sativa seeds, and cash totaling ₦400,000. The Command said the items are reasonably suspected to be connected to criminal activities and have been taken into custody as investigations continue.
In a second operation, police responded on July 31, 2026 to a distress call from a member of the public who reported that a group of suspected cultists had gathered at a guest house and were allegedly shooting sporadically into the air, causing panic in the community.
The statement said the suspects fled on sighting the police patrol team, but officers were able to arrest five of them. They were identified as Destiny Moses, 20; Boniface Clement, 23; Raphael Offiong, 27; Victor Obot, 27; and Sunday Victor, 23.
Exhibits recovered at the scene included one abandoned red Mercedes-Benz C300 saloon car with visible bullet damage, a 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 by the police indicates that the suspects are members of the proscribed Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as De Norsemen Klan. The Command said efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the officers for what he described as courage, professionalism, and swift response. He said the Command remains committed to proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations to rid the state of cultism, armed violence, and other threats to public peace.
“We will not allow criminal elements to have a foothold anywhere in Akwa Ibom State,” CP Azare stated in the release. “These operations send a clear message that we are resolute in dismantling criminal networks and protecting lives and property.”
The Police Command also thanked members of the public for providing timely information that aided the operations. Residents were urged to remain security conscious and to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
DSP John said all the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.
The latest arrests add to a series of anti-cultism operations the Akwa Ibom Police Command has carried out this year as part of efforts to curb gang violence and maintain law and order across the state.
