The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested ten suspects for cultism, and recovered money, Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, locally made pistols, charms, and cult regalia, among other things.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said some of the suspects are members of the proscribed Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as De Norsemen Klan.
John stated on Sunday in a press statement in Uyo that some of the suspects had been on the Command’s watchlist, adding that others were causing panic within the community by shooting sporadically into the air before they were apprehended.
‘In separate intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the Command, a total of ten (10) suspected cultists were arrested, while a locally made pistol, dangerous weapons, charms, suspected cannabis sativa seeds, cult regalia, and other incriminating exhibits were recovered.
‘In one of the operations, on 4th August, 2026, at about 3pm, following credible intelligence and in furtherance of an ongoing investigation into cult-related activities, operatives of the Command swiftly mobilized to Akpatong Village, Esit Eket Local Government Area, where five suspected members of a criminal gang who had been on the Command’s watchlist were apprehended.
‘A thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, charms, one machete, a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, suspected cannabis sativa seeds, and the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (?400,000.00), all reasonably suspected to be connected with criminal activities.
‘In a related development, operatives of the Command, acting on a distress call from a vigilant member of the public on 31st July, 2026, responded promptly to reports that a group of suspected cultists had unlawfully assembled at a guest house, where they were allegedly shooting sporadically into the air and causing panic within the community.
‘On sighting the approaching police patrol team, the hoodlums fled in different directions. However, the operatives successfully arrested five suspects.
‘Items recovered at the scene include one abandoned red Mercedes-Benz C300 saloon car bearing visible bullet damage, one jack knife wrapped with a red ribbon, two face caps bearing the insignia of proscribed cult groups, and three empty bottles of alcoholic beverages believed to have been used during the unlawful gathering.
‘Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of the proscribed Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), also known as De Norsemen Klan. Efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional incriminating exhibits,’ the PRO stated.