By Samuel Ogenyi,Uyo
The Police in Akwa Ibom has said it has arrested 20 suspects in three communities of Oruk Anam Local Council of Akwa Ibom for murder and cultism.
A police statememt on Friday endorsed by the State Police Public Relations Officer,PPRO, Fredrick Nnudam said this followed rival cult war between the Iceland and Debam confraternities in Inen Ikot Eteye, Ikot Inyang and Inen Ikot Owuk villages where one person was shot dead and another missing.
The deceased, one Ubong Okon aged 27 is suspected to be a member of Iceland confraternity, while the whereabouts of 25 year old Ememobong Isaiah a suspected member of Iceland cult group who was allegedly attacked remained unknown.
This led to the arrest of 20 suspects by the Police Tactical Team in separate operations including the prime suspect, Ukandie Ibanga, the prime suspect in the murder case and brother to the deceased.
“Consequently, the Tactical teams deployed to the area by the Commissioner of Police on 19th July, 2020, operated in collaboration with the Oruk Anam Division and arrested a prime suspect, one Ukandie Okon Udo Ibanga ‘m’ of Inen Ikot Owuk village who has been a wanted person in the Command for armed robbery and murder. Normalcy has since been restored to the affected areas.
“In another coordinated manhunt for the hoodlums on 22nd July, 2020, nineteen (19) suspected cultists were arrested. Two (2) double-barreled shotguns were recovered from the hideout of the hoodlums. In a related development, one Ita Johnson Inyang ‘m’, aged 70yrs who was allegedly abducted has been found.” The statement said.
The Police however reassured the people of Inen Clan of Police constant operation in the area to forestall cultism, and enjoined them to denounce cultism and cooperate with the Police teams deployed to the area by giving useful information on the hideouts of other suspects.
