Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested seven suspected cultists believed to be members of the proscribed Ku Klux Klans confraternity in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
The suspects were apprehended following a complaint from a student of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura, who reported being ambushed and attacked on August 25 after renouncing his membership of the group.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, the victim was left unconscious with severe injuries during the attack, while his Redmi 13C phone and ₦41,000 were stolen.
John said operatives acted on intelligence and arrested the seven suspects on August 28. Items recovered from their hideout included a locally made short gun, seven live cartridges, a fresh human skull, a bottle of suspected black oil, and a bottle of Guyanese oil believed to be for ritual use.
The suspects were identified as Douglas Ambe Esikhene, Stephen Asukwo Effiong, Saviour Dany Akpan, Emmanuel Friday Umoh, Augustine Uduak Okon, Mary Ating Asukwo, and Itohowo Christopher Uko.
The police said investigations are ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of the gang and recover more exhibits.