Akwa Ibom cult clash: Court remands 29 suspects

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Olatoye Durosinmi has ordered the prosecution of 29 persons suspected to be involved in unleashing mayhem and murder during the cult clash between members of the Klaans and the Black Axe confraternities in Uyo, the State capital.

The clash, which was as a result of who will collect tolls and control the mini-bus parks in Uyo, claimed four lives, even as the police said it arrested 65 suspects after the incident.

The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko Macdon in a statement issued on Friday night, explained that after discreet screening and investigations by the command, 29 persons out of the 65 earlier arrested were found to be connected to the crisis.

The PPRO said the 29 suspects in a suit no. MU/ misc 229c/2023 COP V EMMANUEL BRANDAN ETIM & ors Magistrate court 6, Uyo were remanded in Ikot Ekpene correctional facility for cultism and murder.

According to the statement, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, has ordered the prosecution of twenty-nine (29) Persons, suspected to be connected to the cult clash at Nwaniba axis of the State, after a diligent screening of the earlier arrested 65 persons.

“The suspects were today taken to court and have been remanded at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre.”

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police has made additional deployments to Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas where security breaches have been observed, emanating from communal clashes.

“While the Command is sparing no resources in restoring normalcy, the CP has called on those concerned to give peace a chance.

“He has further called on relevant State and non-State Actors to intensify their interface in order to restore peace,” he stated.