Nigerian Police Force Arrest Suspects in South South
Police commands in Akwa Ibom and Delta States have arrested a combined thirteen suspects in separate operations targeting armed robbery and cultism, recovering firearms, motorcycles, laptops, suspected illicit drugs and ritual items used to facilitate the crimes.
The Nigerian Police Force has arrested thirteen suspects in coordinated operations across Akwa Ibom and Delta States, two states in Nigeria’s South-South region, as part of an ongoing crackdown on armed robbery and cult-related crime. The arrests, confirmed separately by police spokespersons in both states, led to the recovery of firearms, motorcycles, laptops, suspected illicit drugs and items linked to alleged ritual practices used to support the crimes.
Akwa Ibom Police Dismantle Armed Robbery Network, Arrest Native Doctor
In Akwa Ibom State, police arrested six suspected armed robbers accused of carrying out attacks across the Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas. The state police command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, told our reporter in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, that the suspects are being investigated for a series of alleged robbery operations in the affected communities.
DSP John said police also arrested a native doctor and a second suspect accused of supplying the gang with charms and forged receipts for stolen motorcycles and other items, allegedly helping the group carry out successful operations across multiple locations in the state. Investigators recovered two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops and several items described as fetish materials from the suspects, including items taken from the native doctor’s shrine.
Police say investigations are ongoing to determine the individual culpability of each suspect and to identify and arrest any remaining accomplices connected to the operation.
Delta Police Arrest Seven Suspected Cultists Over Alleged Internet Fraud
In neighbouring Delta State, operatives from the Nigeria Police Force’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested seven suspects along Ghana Quarters, Umuebu Road, in Obiaruku, over alleged links to cult activity and internet fraud. The Delta State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, identified the suspects as Wisdom Enede, Ocheli Solomon, Nnaji Godstime, Izu Thankgod, Kester Adishi, Oghonogh Pentecost and Adishi Prince.
According to Edafe, the suspects are alleged to belong to the Black Axe and Vikings confraternities and are believed to be involved in internet fraud. Police recovered a fabricated single-barrel gun, a cartridge, suspected illicit drugs, a battle axe, mobile phones and a laptop from the group.
Ongoing Investigations
Both police commands say investigations into the arrests are continuing. Authorities in Akwa Ibom have indicated that further arrests are possible as they work to identify other individuals connected to the robbery network, while the Delta State Police Command has not indicated whether additional suspects are being sought in connection with the Obiaruku arrests. As with all pending cases, the suspects named in both operations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
