The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has apprehended three individuals suspected to be members of the Vikings Confraternity and seized hard drugs during a targeted operation on an alleged cult hideout in Uyo. In a separate intelligence-driven operation, authorities also arrested a security guard accused of vandalizing and stealing armored electrical cables from a church and other facilities.
Police spokesperson Timfon John, a deputy superintendent of police, disclosed these developments in a statement released on Monday. The raids underscore the command's intensified efforts to combat cultism, drug abuse, and infrastructure vandalism across the state.
Raid on Alleged Cult Hideout
According to the police, operatives acting on credible intelligence stormed a residential building off Abak Road in Uyo, which was believed to serve as a hideout for cult activities and illicit drug consumption. The suspects were identified as Dick Udofia, Emem Charles, and Ubong Matthew.
“During the operation, officers recovered substances suspected to be Ice (methamphetamine), cannabis, commonly known as Indian hemp, and other items linked to drug consumption,” Ms John stated. The police confirmed that all three suspects admitted to being members of the Vikings Confraternity.
Further investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Ubong Matthew, was forcibly initiated into the cult group on 5 July during a ceremony allegedly orchestrated by Dick Udofia at the same location. The suspects are students of a polytechnic, though their identities have been withheld pending further inquiries. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
Security Guard Held Over Cable Theft
In a separate operation, police arrested Joshua Akpan, a 32-year-old security guard employed by a private security company. The command stated that intelligence linked him to a syndicate involved in vandalizing and stealing armored 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 suspected to have been used in the crimes,” the police said. Akpan reportedly confessed to vandalizing and stealing electrical cables from a Catholic Cathedral where he worked as a security guard. Investigations are ongoing to arrest other members of the alleged syndicate and recover additional stolen property.
Police Vow Sustained Crackdown
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, commended the officers involved in both operations. “The Command remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks, combating cultism and drug-related crimes, and safeguarding public infrastructure across the state,” the statement quoted Mr Azare as saying.
The police commissioner issued a stern warning to those involved in cultism, drug trafficking, vandalism, and other criminal activities to desist or “face the full weight of the law.” He also urged residents to support the police by providing credible, timely information, assuring them that all useful intelligence would be treated confidentially.
Background on Cultism in Akwa Ibom
Cultism has remained a major security challenge in Akwa Ibom despite years of government and police crackdowns. In 2018, the state government proscribed 31 cult groups, including the Vikings, Black Axe, Buccaneers, and Icelanders, as part of efforts to curb violent crimes linked to secret cult activities. In 2021, the state government also announced plans to shut down hotels and entertainment centers found to be harboring cult groups after intelligence reports linked some facilities to cult meetings and recruitment.
The police have sustained the campaign in recent months. In February, operatives arrested two suspects during an alleged cult initiation at a secondary school in Uyo. More recently, the command announced the arrest of three suspects over alleged armed robbery and cultism, stating it would continue deploying intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
