Police in Akwa Ibom have arrested no fewer than 40 suspected cultists and robbers alleged to have been terrorising residents of Uyo, the state capital.
Tactical team of the command arrested the suspects on Thursday, December 10, following a tip-off.
State Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, in a statement in Uyo, on Friday, said the suspects had confessed to engaging in cult-related murder and killings in recent times.
The police said two locally made pistols, five cutlasses, and a bag of substance suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from them.
The statement read, “On Thursday, 10th December 2020, at about 0930hrs, Tactical Teams of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, relying on credible information, in a painstaking operation, stormed criminal hideouts within the Uyo Metropolis believed to be part of the nest hibernating some of the hoodlums responsible for Wednesday night’s breach of the peace within Uyo.
“A total of 40 suspected Armed Robbers/Cultists were arrested. Two locally made pistols, five cutlasses, a bag of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp were among the exhibits, recovered.
“On interrogation, suspects claimed to be part of the cult groups responsible for cult-related murder and robberies within the Uyo Metropolis recently.
“A discreet investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of their culpability and they will be charged to court immediately.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for criminality, stressing that the police would continue to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the state.