Police Smash Kidnapping Gang, Arrest 4 Cultists

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police command at Ikot Akpanabia, near Uyo, the state capital, have busted a kidnapping ring operated by cult leaders and apprehended no fewer than four suspects, LEADERSHIP gathered yesterday.

Addressing journalists, the Police public relations officer (PPRO), ASP Timfon John said the breakthrough became necessary as the commissioner of police (CP), Waheed Ayilara has reiterated his zero tolerance for crime of any sort which, she noted, has reenforced the command’s commitment to combat cult-related crimes in the state, especially kidnapping and armed robbery.

She said: “Sequel to the complaints received by the Command on an inter-confraternity clash between different cult groups ongoing in Eket and its environs, the commissioner of police, Waheed Ayilara, gave a matching order to the divisional police officer (DPO) Eket, SP Felix Ekpoudom, for the perpetrators to be fished out and prosecuted.

“In compliance with these directives based on credible information at our disposal, operatives of Eket Division arrested one Godwin Adam, Alias ‘Nasarawa’, 35 years -old of Idong Useme village; one Isaac Samuel Bassey , 25 years of Assang Usong  Inyong, and one Emmanuel Hanson Isong, 29 years of Idung Uso village, all of Eket LGA.

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

“Furthermore, in pursuit of others at large, the DPO, Eket Division, acting on intelligence gathered swiftly, mobilized Police operatives from the Division to Eket-Etinan road, and arrested one Victor Usoro Eyire, aka ‘Tender’ 35 years of Iseyiridua village, Eket LGA, along Eket/Etinan road.

“The suspect has been on the command wanted list for being a ring -leader terrorizing Eket/Etinan/Ekparakwa axis. Further efforts led to the recovery of one English Pump Action Rifle, one Short Machine Gun (SMG), one locally made revolver pistol, 11 rounds of 9mm Ammunition, and four rounds live cartridges from their group operational base at Ikot Oku Ikono village, Uyo LGA.

“Suspect confessed to being a member of Black Axe cult croup. Efforts have been intensified to arrest other fleeing gangs and possible recovery of their weapons. The command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements.”