Police nab 67 armed robbery suspects, cult members in Akwa Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom Syate said it had arrested 67 suspected armed robbers and cult members in different hideouts in the state.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, who made the discloure on Friday in Uyo, said among those arrested were one Miracle Etukudoh, 20, leader of a notorious armed robbery syndicate in the state.
Elkana said police operatives arrested Etukudoh who resides at Effiat Offot Village in Uyo Local Government Area on December 7.
He said that the gang specialised in robbing people of their valuables such as cell phones, handbags and cash around Uyo and environs.
He said his arrest led to the arrest of three other gang members while in possession of one locally-made pistol at Ikot Oduot Village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
The PPRO said that all the suspects had made confessional statements of belonging to ‘REDSKIN’ cult group.
He said the suspects had been charged to court.
Elkana further said that police operatives had between December 9 and December 10, arrested one Ernest Bassey, the leader of a seven-member cult group in their hideout.
He said that they were arrested at 4, Eyo-Abasi Estate, Isangedighi Lane, Oron, where they had converged for a secret meeting.
He said police operatives recovered from them one locally-made pistol and photographs of other suspected members of the cult group.
The PPRO also said that 12 suspected cultists were arrested by the police in Abak Town following intelligence report.
He disclosed that police recovered from them military belts, binoculars, one locally-made single barrel pistol and Navy beret.
He said that the suspects had confessed to being members of a secret cult engaged in various crimes in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and its environs.
Elkana added that both cases had been charged to court.
He further said that a combined team of police operatives and Operation Thunder, Akwa Ibom, at Ikwe village in Onna Local Government Area, arrested 20 suspected cult members.
He said the suspects belonged to two different cult groups; “ISAKABA” and “EKPAT”.
Elkana said: “The following items were recovered from them: one locally-made pistol; five machetes and two jack knives.
“The suspects have been charged to court and remanded in prison custody.”