Police apprehend newly initiated cultist, two others in Akwa Ibom
Three Arrested in Cult Activity in Uyo
UYO, Akwa Ibom State — The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reported the arrest of three members of the Vikings confraternity during a raid on a criminal hideout on Abak Road in Uyo. Among those detained was Ubong Matthew, a recent initiate.
Police spokesperson DSP Timfon John confirmed the arrests in a statement issued Monday, noting that all suspects are students at a local polytechnic. According to the police, Matthew was allegedly initiated into the cult on July 5, 2026, during a ceremony overseen by Dick Udofia.
During the operation, law enforcement recovered several items, including substances believed to be methamphetamine and cannabis, along with various tools connected to drug use.
In a separate operation, police apprehended Joshua Akpan, a 32-year-old security guard for a private company. Akpan is accused of vandalizing and stealing armored electrical cables and installations from churches, residential buildings, factories, and government properties.
A search of his residence yielded cut-to-size armored cables, bundles of electrical wire, pliers, an iron-cutting blade, a hammer, and other tools believed to have been used in the crimes. Akpan reportedly confessed to stealing cables from the Catholic Cathedral where he worked as a security guard.
John stated that all suspects would be charged in court following the completion of investigations. Commissioner CP Baba Azare commended the police operatives for their professionalism and reiterated the command’s commitment to combating crime in the state.