Police nab 25 suspected cultists in A’Ibom

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Officers of the Akwa Ibom State police command have apprehended 25 suspected cultists including 10 females in a renewed push against criminal elements in the State

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A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John in Uyo on Monday said the suspects were arrested in Abak Local Government Area of the State during a meeting of their members.

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According to the John, the operatives, acting on credible intelligence after receiving directives from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, to intensify raids on identified black spots and dismantle criminal networks, carried out the operation which led to the arrest of the suspects on the 3rd of May,2026

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The operatives stormed a notorious black spot, located at Oku Abak Village in Abak LGA, where suspected members of a secret cult confraternity were reportedly assembling and successfully carried out the arrest.

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The statement reads in part, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another significant operational breakthrough in its sustained crackdown on criminal elements across the State.

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“In line with the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, to intensify raids on identified black spots and dismantle criminal networks, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a successful operation in Abak Local Government Area.

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“On 3rd May, 2026, at about 2119 hours, ERS operatives stormed a notorious black spot, located at Oku Abak Village in Abak LGA, where suspected members of a secret cult confraternity were reportedly assembling”

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The male suspects according to the statement include Ubong Victor. Gabriel Utitofon Liberty Sunday, Onyekachi Celestine, Sifon Ekong,Aniekeme Friday and Emmanuel Sunday . Others include . Emmanuel Johnson Usiene Michael, Michael Effiong, Mbetobong Johnson ‘M’ Christian Daniel, Baribor Zorka,Solomon John and Moses Eno

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The female suspects include,Ella Sunday , Esther Samuel, Gift Okon, Esther Effiong , Delight Eze, Agatha Godwin, Faith Simon Favour Naru and Precious Effiong and Hope Edet.

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The statement added that a thorough search within the vicinity led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, two live cartridges and a red beret including one motorcycle and a minibus impounded during the search

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Reiterating the Command’s unwavering commitment to ridding the State of cultism and other criminal activities, warned all criminal elements to desist from unlawful acts or face the full weight of the law while urging members of the public to continue to support the Police by providing timely and credible information and to report any suspicious activities within their communities.

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In April, the Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers during a routine night patrol operation in the Idimu area of the state.

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The command disclosed that the suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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According to the police, the arrest was made at about 2:00 a.m. when officers on patrol along the Car Wash Bus Stop near First Bank intercepted three men riding on a motorcycle under suspicious circumstances.

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