The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested 16 persons for belonging to a cult.
They were arrested as they met at their meeting at Hero’s World Hotel on Iru Road.
According to the police, an intelligence was received on January 21, 2018 at about 7pm through a text message received on a suspect’s phone in custody under investigation, which read: “Greetings sir, with due respect the trench town will sit out today @ Hero’s World Hotel, Itu road, by 7pm – Sheriff.”
On the receipt of the information, Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Command swung into action and cordoned the premises of the hotel, arresting 16 persons.
Those arrested were Edidiong Asuquo John ‘m’ 30; Udoh, Ndiponkeabasi ‘m’ 24; Akpan Uduakobong Moses ‘m’ 20; Hillary Enobong Akpan ‘m’ 24; Sixtus Sylvanus Umanah ‘m’ 24; Vincent Sylvester Effiong ‘m’ 30; Itohowo Amos Ekpo ‘m’ 28; and Christian Effiong Effiong ‘m’ 22; Frank Bassey Jacob ‘m’ 28.
Others were Daniel Victor Ukpong ‘m’ 32; Precious John Etuk ‘m’ 29; Victor Moses Okon ‘m’ 18; Ubong Anthony Basil ‘m’ 24; Amaraegbu Chimezie ‘m’ 23; Edidiong John Assan ‘m’ 29; Archibong Okon, a.k.a Kiwi, ‘m’ 35.
The suspected cultists are said to be natives of various villages and Local Government Areas of the State.
The police said further investigation revealed that two suspects detained in the cell received information on their phones inviting them for the KLAN KULUS KLUB (KKK) meeting on January 21, 2018 at Hero’s World Hotel and Bar, located along Ikpa Road by Itu Road, Uyo.
The 16 suspects arrested in connection with the case confessed being members of KKK and one locally made revolver pistol was recovered from them.