Police nab 7 in Akwa Ibom for cultism, armed robbery, recover human skull

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested seven suspects linked to cult-related violence, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm and human skull.

In a statement, the command confirmed that the suspects were found with several incriminating items, including a locally made short gun, seven live cartridges, a bottle containing a substance suspected to be black oil, and another bottle of Guyanese oil believed to be intended for ritual purposes.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, DSP Timfon John who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Monday said the arrest was made following a report received on August 25, 2025, from a student of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, that he was ambushed and attacked with dangerous weapons along Ikot Osurua by members of a proscribed cult group known as the Ku Klux Klans Confraternity.

The command spokesperson said the victim, who had reportedly renounced his membership of the group, was left unconscious with severe injuries while the assailants also stole his Redmi 13C Android phone and ₦41,000 in cash.

The statement in parts, “On August 28, 2025, Operatives of the Command arrested seven suspects in connection with a cult-related assault, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm and human skull.”

John mentioned the suspects as Douglas Ambe Esikhene, Stephen Asukwo Effiong, Saviour Dany Akpan, Emmanuel Friday Umoh, Augustine Uduak Okon, Mary Ating Asukwo, Itohowo Christopher Uko

She said an investigation is ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend other members of the gang and make more recoveries assuring that further developments would be communicated to the public.