Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have smashed a gang of cultists linked with violent crimes, including armed robbery at gunpoint, in parts of the state.
The police spokesperson, DSP TImfon John, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday at the command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, near Uyo, the state capital, stated that the suspects were seized at Ikpe Usung Ita village in Obot Akara local government area.
“On Monday, August 25, 2025, at approximately 0400 hours, operatives of the Command while conducting an investigation into a case of stealing, arrested two suspected cultists in Ikpe Usung Ita, Obot Akara LGA.
“The suspects, identified as Emmanuel Udo Ukut, 41years and Marshall Asuquo John, 42years, were apprehended during a targeted operation to recover stolen phones and arrest individuals linked to the crime,” she recalled.
According to Miss John, a search of the suspects led to the recovery of several incriminating items, including one single-barrel den gun, three live cartridges, one expanded cartridge, and a black beret with cult insignia.
Others included a black hood suspected to be used as a facemask, a black belt, three mobile phones: a Tecno Spark 30, a Vivo Y15s, a small Itel phone, a black and nylon bag containing substance suspected to be gunpowder.
“The two suspects are currently in Police custody while investigations are ongoing,” she stressed and urged members of the civil society to work in synergy with security agencies in the area of intelligence sharing for quick intervention in crime-prone situations.
