Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Three Suspected Cultists, Security Guard Over Church Cable Theft

July 6 () — The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the Vikings Confraternity and a security guard allegedly involved in vandalising and stealing armoured electrical cables in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operations formed part of the command’s sustained crackdown on cultism, illicit drug abuse, and the vandalism of public and private infrastructure.

According to the statement, operatives raided a residential building off Abak Road in Uyo after intelligence identified it as a hideout for cult activities and drug abuse.

Three suspects, identified as Dick Udofia, Emem Charles, and Ubong Matthew, were arrested during the operation.

Police said officers recovered substances suspected to be methamphetamine, popularly known as “Ice”, cannabis, commonly called Indian hemp, and other items linked to drug consumption.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity.

Investigators further alleged that Ubong Matthew was forcibly initiated into the cult group on July 5, 2026, during a ceremony allegedly organised by Dick Udofia at the same location.

The command added that the suspects, said to be 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 32-year-old Joshua Akpan, a security guard employed by a private security company, over his alleged involvement in a syndicate specialising in the vandalism and theft of armoured electrical cables and other electrical installations.

According to the police, a search of the suspect’s residence, conducted with 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.

The command alleged that during interrogation, Akpan confessed to vandalising and stealing electrical cables from a Catholic Cathedral where he had been deployed as a security guard.

Police said investigations are continuing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen items.

Commenting on the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the professionalism and vigilance of the operatives involved.

“The Command remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks, combating cultism and drug-related crimes, and safeguarding public infrastructure across the state,” the Commissioner said.

Azare warned those involved in cultism, drug trafficking, vandalism, and other criminal activities to desist or face prosecution, stressing that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing to identify and bring offenders to justice.

He also urged residents to support the police with credible and timely information, assuring that all intelligence received would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly to enhance security across Akwa Ibom State.