– Akwa Ibom is battling with own share of cultism as with most states of the federation
– The police are however making sure they nip the potential crisis in the bud
– Young women are also said to be actively involved in the vice
A report by Premium Times indicates that seven young women are among suspected cultists arrested recently in Eket, Akwa Ibom state.
The commissioner of police in the state, Don Awunah, said on Friday, June 30 that the women were arrested in May at Ikot Udota community, alongside 12 young men, also suspected to be cultists.
According to the police boss, his men cordoned off an area where the suspects were playing drums, dancing and shooting guns before they were arrested.
CP Don Awunah had earlier said 21 cult groups are operating in Akwa Ibom state
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He gave the names of the arrested men as Ubong Ekpene, Effiong Effiong and Umium Uwe.
Others suspects are Vincent Isaac, Smart Besembe, Philip David, Simon Ekpenyong, Ubong Akpan, NdikponkeAbasi Udoh, Mfonabasi Robert, Nsini Ekanem, Ekom Ekong, and Ntiedo Bob.
He however refrained from reading out the names of the female suspects.
He went on to say the recovered one human skull, four locally-made pistols, two live cartridges and eight expended cartridges, seven drums and charms, as well as a large quantity of substance suspected to be Indian hemp from the suspects.
Cult-related violence and killing have reportedly been on the increase of late in Akwa Ibom, with Ikot Ekpene, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and Eket local government areas identified as hotspots for cult activities in the oil-rich state.
The police had earlier informed the public that there are 21 cult groups operating in different parts of the state.
The rise in cultism in Akwa Ibom state should be a source of worry for Governor Udom Emmanuel
In a related development, seven girls using hijab to disguise themselves and evade arrest at the border were among the 12 persons intercepted by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Katsina on their way to Europe recently.
This brings the total number of persons apprehended by the NIS to 40 in the last four months as they tried to cross various legal and illegal routes to Agadez in Niger Republic en route Libya then Europe.
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