Police in Akwa Ibom State say 60 suspected cultists have been arrested in connection with the killing of two persons in Inen community, Orukanam Local Government Area of the state.
Ofonime Uduak and Iniobong Silas were killed on Saturday during a clash between members of Debam and Iceland confraternities.
Nnudam Fredrick, the command’s Public Relations Officer, in a statement on Monday said the deceased were suspected members of the two cult groups.
According to the statement: “On Sunday at about 10 pm the Command received a disturbing report of a rival cult clash between members of the Debam and Iceland cult confraternities in Inen Clan which culminated to the death of one Ofonime Uduak ‘m’ and Iniobong Kufre Silas ‘m’.
“The deceased were suspected to be members of Iceland and Debam confraternities.
“The Police Command swung into action and arrested 60 suspects. Fifteen were charged to court for murder, while others were charged with murder and cultism.”
The spokesperson added that the Command on Saturday arrested four other notorious cultists terrorising the same area,
The suspects include one Inyene Ime Udofia, 18; Monday Okon Ettete, 28; Victor Etim Daniel, 16; and Nsima Okon Udo, 18; all from Oruk Anam LGA.
He stressed that the Command’s commitment to adequately police the state noting that “the onslaught against cultists/cultism in the state will be sustained”.
