Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its sustained campaign against cultism and illicit drug activities, with the arrest of three suspected members of the notorious Vikings Confraternity during an intelligence-led raid on a residential hideout in Uyo, the state capital. The operation, which took place on Monday, 6 July 2026, targeted a building off Abak Road that had been identified as a hub for cult-related activities and substance abuse. According to a statement issued by the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the suspects were apprehended with substances suspected to be methamphetamine, commonly known as "Ice," and cannabis, often referred to as Indian hemp, alongside other items linked to drug consumption.
The suspects have been identified as Dick Udofia, Emem Charles, and Ubong Matthew. Preliminary investigations revealed that all three admitted to being members of the Vikings Confraternity, a secret cult group that has been proscribed by the state government. In a disturbing twist, police investigators established that one of the suspects, Ubong Matthew, was allegedly forcefully initiated into the cult on 5 July 2026, during a ceremony reportedly masterminded by Dick Udofia at the same location where the arrests were made. The suspects, who are students of a polytechnic whose name has been withheld, are currently assisting the police with useful information as efforts continue to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
In a separate but equally significant operation, the police also arrested a 32-year-old private security guard, Joshua Akpan, over his alleged involvement in a syndicate specialising in the vandalism and theft of armoured electrical cables and other electrical installations. A search of his residence, conducted pursuant to a valid warrant, 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. During interrogation, Akpan confessed to vandalising and stealing electrical cables from the Catholic Cathedral, where he had been employed as a security guard.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the professionalism and swift response of the operatives involved in both operations. He reiterated that the command remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks, combating cultism and drug-related crimes, and safeguarding public infrastructure across the state. The Commissioner issued a stern warning to individuals involved in cultism, drug trafficking, vandalism, and other criminal enterprises to desist or face the full weight of the law. He further called on residents of Akwa Ibom State to remain vigilant and continue partnering with the police by providing timely and credible information, assuring them that every useful piece of intelligence would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The arrest of the three suspected cultists is the latest in a series of ongoing operations by the Akwa Ibom Police Command to rid the state of criminal elements. Cultism has remained a major security challenge in Akwa Ibom despite years of government and police crackdowns. In 2018, the state government proscribed 31 cult groups, including the Vikings, Black Axe, Buccaneers, and Icelanders, as part of efforts to curb violent crimes linked to secret cult activities. In 2021, the state government also announced plans to shut down hotels and entertainment centres found to be harbouring cult groups. The police have sustained the campaign in recent months, with operatives arresting two suspects during an alleged cult initiation at a secondary school in Uyo in February and, more recently, announcing the arrest of three suspects over alleged armed robbery and cultism. The command has reaffirmed its commitment to deploying intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks and ensure a safer and more secure Akwa Ibom State.
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