Four suspected cultists and kidnappers have been arrested by the Operatives of Akwa Ibom State Police Command of the State.

This was written in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP John Timfon on Monday.

The officer stated that the suspects were arrested at various locations in Eket Local Government Area of the state due to the credible information to the command.

The suspects include one Godwin Adam. 35 years, Isaac Samuel Bassey ’25 years Emmanuel Hanson Isong ’29 years and Victor Usoro Eyire ‘35 years.

Timfon said, “Sequel to the complaints received by the Command on inter-confraternity clash between different cult groups in Eket and its environs, the Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara ‘gave a matching order to the DPO Eket Division, SP Felix Ekpoudom for the perpetrators to be fished out and prosecuted.

“In compliance with these directives; on 9/04/2024 at about 4:45 pm, based on credible information, operatives of Eket Division arrested one Godwin Adam Aka Nasarawa ‘m’ 35yrs of Idong Useme Village, one Isaac Samuel Bassey ‘m’ 25yrs of Assang Usong Inyong, one Emmanuel Hanson Isong ‘m’ 29yrs of Idung Uso Village, all of Eket L.G.A.

He further said that the suspects confessed they were members of the Black Axe Confraternity, adding that they were also involved in the killing of one Kufre Usoro.

“Suspects confessed to being members of Black Axe Confraternity and also suspected to be involved in the gruesome murder of one Kufre Usoro aka Promzy ‘m’ 32yrs said to be a member of Klanz Cult group who was murdered on Thursday 4th of April, 2024.

“Furthermore, in pursuit of others at large, on 25/4/2024, at about 2:00 pm, the Divisional Police Officer of Eket Division, acting on intelligence gathered swiftly mobilized police operatives from the Division to Eket-Etinan Road and arrested one Victor Usoro Eyire aka Tender ‘m’ 35yrs of Iseyiridua Village, Eket L.G.A., along Eket/Etinan Road.

The officer, added that the suspects were on the command’s wanted list.

The command recovered items such as an English pump action rifle, one short machine gun, one locally made pistol, and eleven rounds of 9mm of live cartridges from the suspects.

“The Suspect has been on the Command wanted list for being a ringleader terrorizing Eket/Etinan/Ekparakwa Axis. Further effort led to the recovery of One English Pump Action Rifle, one Short Machine Gun (SMG), one locally made revolver pistol, eleven rounds of 9mm Ammunitions, and four rounds of live cartridges from their Group Operational Base at Ikot Oku Ikono Village, Uyo L.G.A. Suspect confessed to being a member of Black Axe Cult Group.

However,  Timfon reiterated the commands’ commitment to make the state criminal-free.

“Effort is intensified to arrest other fleeing gangs and possible recovery of their weapons. The Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements.