The anti-cult operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have averted a bloody rival cult war, apprehending two gang leaders of the Ku Klux Klans (KKK) confraternity and one female accomplice suspected to be their girlfriend and informant.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Timfon John who addressed Journalists in Uyo at the weekend, said the suspects were apprehended following superior intelligence that they were in the process of engaging in a bloody clash with a rival group.
DSP John explained that the arrested suspects were accused of involvement in series of robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
She added that they were arrested in their hideout in a hotel while plotting the mayhem along the Calabar-Itu Road axis at Urua Ekpa, Itu local government area of the state.
“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,” she said.
The PPRO added that 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.
DSP John said an active investigation is currently underway, adding that five victims have already identified the suspects as the gang that robbed them at Urua Ekpa and School Road.
She stressed that further updates on the suspects will be communicated as the investigation progresses.
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