The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the state of cultism, illicit drug activities, and vandalism of critical infrastructure, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to protecting lives, property, and public assets.
This was contained in a statement signed by DSP Timfon John issued to newsmen.
It said in a coordinated intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Command, three suspected members of the notorious Vikings Confraternity were arrested following a raid on a residential building off Abak Road, Uyo, which had been identified as a hideout for cult-related activities and illicit drug abuse.
The suspects, identified as Dick Udofia, Emem Charles, and Ubong Matthew, were apprehended. During the raid, officers recovered substances suspected to be Ice (Methamphetamine), cannabis commonly referred to as Indian hemp, and other items linked to drug consumption.
Preliminary investigations revealed that all three suspects admitted membership of the Vikings Confraternity. Investigators further established that one of the suspects, Ubong Matthew, was allegedly forcefully initiated into the cult group on July 5, 2026, during a ceremony reportedly masterminded by Dick Udofia at the same location. The suspects, who are students of a certain polytechnic ( name withheld), are currently assisting the Police with useful information. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Command arrested one Joshua Akpan, a 32-year-old security guard employed by a private security company.
The arrest followed actionable intelligence linking the suspect to a syndicate specializing in vandalizing and stealing armoured electrical cables and other electrical installations from churches, residential buildings, factories, and government facilities.
A search conducted at the suspect’s residence pursuant to a duly executed search warrant led to the recovery of cut-to-size armoured cables, bundles of vandalized electrical wires, pliers, an iron-cutting blade, a hammer, and other tools suspected to have been used in committing the crimes.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to vandalizing and stealing electrical cables from Catholic Cathedral where he had been employed as a security guard. Investigations are ongoing to arrest other members of the criminal syndicate still at large and recover additional stolen property.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare fsi, commended the professionalism, vigilance, and swift response of the operatives involved in both operations. He reiterated that the Command remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks, combating cultism and drug-related crimes, and safeguarding public infrastructure across the state.
The Commissioner warned individuals involved in cultism, drug trafficking, vandalism, and other criminal enterprises to desist or face the full weight of the law, stressing that the Command will continue to deploy intelligence-driven policing strategies to identify, arrest, and prosecute offenders.
He further called on residents of Akwa Ibom State to remain vigilant and continue partnering with the Police by providing timely and credible information. The Command assures the public that every useful piece of information will be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon promptly in the interest of ensuring a safer and more secure Akwa Ibom State.
