Police Arraign Cultists, Deploy Operatives In Akwa Ibom Oil Communities

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command yesterday confirmed that 29 people have been found culpable in the bloody cults clashes involving Klaans and Black Axe confraternities over control of parks and toll collections leading to the death of no fewer than 26 people.

Police spokesman, SP Odiko Macdon, at the weekend,  said the commissioner of police,  Mr Olatoye Durosinmi, had ordered the prosecution of 29 of the 65 arrested after  screening.

He said: “29 persons suspected to be connected to the cult clash at Nwaniba axis of the state, after a diligent screening, the suspects have been taken to court and have been remanded at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre.”

Following the alarm raised over the weekend by the state government on alleged stockpile of weapons in the tension-soaked oil bearing coastal communities of Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, Mbo, Eket, Esit Eket, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, and others, LEADERSHIP gathered that more operatives have been deployed to forestall further breach of peace.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, the commissioner for information and strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, said; “The state is in possession of credible intelligence concerning arms stockpile by unpatriotic elements to orchestrate violence, but measures have been put in place to contain the situation.

“The commissioner has released additional tactical resources targeted at identifying culprits who are at large, their sponsors and has vowed to bring them to book within the shortest time possible.”