Akwa Ibom Police arrest suspected cultists, cable vandal
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the Vikings Confraternity and a suspected cable vandal in separate intelligence-led operations targeting cultism, drug abuse and the vandalism of critical infrastructure.
The operations led to the recovery of suspected illicit drugs, vandalised electrical cables and tools believed to have been used in criminal activities.
In the first operation, police operatives raided a residential building off Abak Road in Uyo, identified through intelligence as a hideout for cult-related activities and illicit drug use.
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Etim Ekpimah
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the Vikings Confraternity and a suspected cable vandal in separate intelligence-led operations targeting cultism, drug abuse and the vandalism of critical infrastructure.
The operations led to the recovery of suspected illicit drugs, vandalised electrical cables and tools believed to have been used in criminal activities.
In the first operation, police operatives raided a residential building off Abak Road in Uyo, identified through intelligence as a hideout for cult-related activities and illicit drug use.
The raid resulted in the arrest of three suspects identified as Dick Udofia, Emem Charles, and Ubong Matthew.
During the operation, officers recovered substances suspected to be methamphetamine, popularly known as “Ice”, cannabis (Indian hemp) and other items associated with drug consumption.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that all three suspects admitted belonging to the Vikings Confraternity.
Investigators further alleged that one of the suspects, Ubong Matthew, was forcibly initiated into the cult group on 5 July 2026 during a ceremony allegedly organised by Dick Udofia at the same location.
The command said the suspects, who are students of a polytechnic whose identity was withheld, are assisting investigators, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
In a separate operation, police arrested Joshua Akpan, 32, a security guard employed by a private security company, on suspicion of involvement in vandalism and the theft of armoured electrical cables.
According to the police, intelligence linked the suspect to a syndicate specialising in the theft of armoured electrical cables and other electrical installations from churches, residential buildings, factories and government facilities.
A search of the suspect’s residence, conducted under a valid search warrant, led to the recovery of cut-to-size armoured cables, bundles of vandalised electrical wires, pliers, an iron-cutting blade, a hammer and other tools believed to have been used in carrying out the crimes.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to vandalising and stealing electrical cables from a Catholic cathedral where he had been employed as a security guard.
Police said investigations are continuing to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen property.
Commending the officers involved in both operations, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, praised their professionalism, vigilance and swift response.
He reaffirmed the command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks, combat cultism and drug-related offences, and protect critical public infrastructure across the state.
Azare warned those involved in cultism, drug trafficking, vandalism and other criminal activities to abandon their unlawful acts or face the full weight of the law, stressing that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing strategies to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders.
The CP also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring them that all useful intelligence would be treated with the utmost confidentiality and acted upon promptly to enhance public safety across Akwa Ibom State.
