2 cops, students arrested for cultism in A/Ibom

The police in Akwa Ibom have arrested 17 suspects including two policemen and two University of Uyo students for alleged involvement in cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other nefarious activities.

One of the policemen, a sergeant, is said to be attached to the Ibom International Airport while the other, also a sergeant, is said to be one of the security aides to a member of the state House of Assembly.

The two UNIUYO students, it was learnt, were second year Accounting and third year Philosophy undergraduates of the institution.

Confirming the arrests, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Odiko Ogbeche said, “We are the people who arraigned them. Our ground men on combat operations arrested them in different parts of the state. We are mopping arms as directed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).”

The suspects have been arraigned on two count charge of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms before Justice Archibong Archibong, at the Uyo High Court where they all admitted to be cultists.

The offences contravene Section 6 of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Security Enforcement Law 2009 and Section 6(1) of the Firearms Special Prohibition Act, Laws of the Federation 2004.

The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to May 3, 2018, for further hearing.

Daily Trust reports that the arrests happened barely two weeks after Governor Udom Emmanuel banned 33 cult groups in the state.