Anti – cult operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have averted a bloody rival cults’ war and apprehended two gang leaders of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) confraternity and one female accomplice suspected to be their girlfriend and informant.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, addressing journalists in Uyo, the state capital, at the weekend, said the suspects were apprehended following superior intelligence that the suspects were in the process of orchestrating a bloody clash with a rival group.
She explained that the suspects said to be involved in a series of robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes were seized in their hideout in a hotel, plotting the mayhem along the Calabar-Itu Road axis.
“Following credible intelligence regarding an impending cult clash along the Calabar-Itu Road, the Command swiftly deployed intelligence and surveillance teams to preempt any violence.
“The intelligence revealed that two notorious gang leaders, who have been terrorizing the Calabar-Itu axis, were lodging at a guest house in Ntak Inyang.
“At approximately 0500 hours, surveillance teams, acting on precise information, raided the identified hideout. The operation resulted in the arrest of two male suspects identified as Joseph Ekeng Edet of Akon Itam, and Ekon Isaiah of Ibiaku Uruan.
“Both are confirmed members of the Kuklux Klan secret cult. A female companion, Esther Otobong Edem, was also apprehended at the scene.
“Exhibits recovered during the operation include one locally made pistol, one battle axe, one hammer, a bottle containing a liquid substance suspected to be a charm, two torchlights, two mobile handsets, and a black bag containing various items.
“An active investigation is currently underway. Notably, five victims have already come forward to identify the arrested individuals as the gang that robbed them at Urua Ekpa and School Road.
“Further updates on this case will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” she stated.
