Police arrest three suspected cultists with illicit drugs in A’Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the Vikings Confraternity during an intelligence-led operation at a residential building along Abak Road, Uyo, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Dick Udofia, Emem Charles and Ubong Matthew, were arrested with substances suspected to be methamphetamine (commonly known as Ice), cannabis (Indian hemp) and other items linked to drug use.

In a statement issued in Uyo on Monday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, said the suspects had confessed to being members of the secret cult.

She added that the suspects, who are students of a polytechnic whose name was withheld, were assisting the police with useful information.

So This Happened (EP 409) reviews: CBN revokes licences of 46 microfinance banks0:02 / 1:01

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the state of cultism, illicit drug activities and vandalism of critical infrastructure, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to protecting lives, property and public assets.

“In a coordinated intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command arrested three suspected members of the notorious Vikings Confraternity following a raid on a residential building off Abak Road, Uyo, which had been identified as a hideout for cult-related activities and illicit drug abuse.

“The suspects, identified as Dick Udofia, Emem Charles and Ubong Matthew, were apprehended. During the raid, officers recovered substances suspected to be methamphetamine (Ice), cannabis, commonly referred to as Indian hemp, and other items linked to drug use.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that all three suspects admitted membership of the Vikings Confraternity. Investigators further established that one of the suspects, Ubong Matthew, was allegedly forcefully initiated into the cult group on July 5, 2026, during a ceremony reportedly masterminded by Dick Udofia at the same location,” the statement partly read.

According to John, the suspects, who are students of a certain polytechnic (name withheld), are currently assisting the police with useful information, stating that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

In a related development, officers of the command also arrested one 32-year-old Joshua Akpan, a private security guard, over his alleged involvement in vandalising and stealing armoured electrical cables and other electrical installations from churches, residential buildings, factories and government facilities.

The statement said a search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of cut-to-size armoured cables, bundles of vandalised electrical wires, pliers, an iron-cutting blade, a hammer and other tools suspected to have been used in committing the crimes.

According to the police, the suspect confessed to the offence.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to vandalising and stealing electrical cables from the Catholic Cathedral, where he had been employed as a security guard. Investigations are ongoing to arrest other members of the criminal syndicate still at large and recover additional stolen property,” the statement added.