Akwa Ibom Police Confirm Cult Killings, Arrest Suspects for Murder and Robbery

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the killing of one Paul Eyo, suspected to be a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, and the beheading of another individual, identified as “Ekpe,” believed to be a member of the Vikings Confraternity.

Both incidents occurred in Eyo-Abasi, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing journalists during a press conference at the police headquarters in Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo, the State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, disclosed that officers were alerted by the local youth leader, prompting immediate police action.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders.

“On October 16, 2024, at about 6:35 am, we were informed by the youth leader about a corpse bearing marks of violence,” Eribo said.

“The deceased was identified as Paul Eyo, a suspected Black Axe member, who suffered fatal machete wounds. Another victim, ‘Ekpe,’ a suspected Viking cult member, was also beheaded.”

Eribo revealed that at about 12:15 pm, police operatives, acting on intelligence, arrested three suspects—Mfon Etim Uzoma, Robert Effiong Etim, and Malachi Williams Ubokulo—at a ravine in Abiak Owo Ebughu village, Mbo LGA.

Recovered items from the suspects include two face caps with Viking insignia, an LG TV, a shovel, camp gas, an amplifier, six foam mattresses, a plastic table, a chair, and four motorcycles.

During the press conference, the police also paraded two suspects, Tony Ntuen and Iniobong Johnny, from Mbierebe Obio, Ibesikpo LGA. The duo allegedly specialized in snatching motorcycles by posing as passengers.

According to Eribo, the suspects would board motorcycles and ask the rider to stop at a secluded spot, where an accomplice waiting in the bush would help carry out the theft.

Their luck ran out after they stole a Qlink motorcycle at gunpoint from one Emmanuel Edem Okon in Obio Ndobo village, Uruan LGA.

Unknown to the thieves, Okon had installed a tracking device on his bike, leading to its recovery and their subsequent arrest.

The Commissioner also disclosed the arrest of a syndicate that specializes in stealing vehicles and dismantling them for sale as scrap.

Eribo recounted an incident in which a Jenbei Hiase bus, reported stolen from Akpa Ube Street in Uyo, was traced to a scrap yard in Afaha Offot. “The bus had already been disassembled by the receiver, Ike Chimezie,” Eribo said.

“He was arrested and later led operatives to the premises of Matthew Chimezie, who stole the vehicle and sold it to him.”

The Commissioner of Police assured residents that all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He urged the public to provide timely information on suspicious activities in their communities, pledging the command’s commitment to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety of all residents.