The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of several suspects in connection with alleged theft, cultism, and burglary in different parts of the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, said police operatives on Tuesday apprehended a suspect, Solomon John, for allegedly stealing a Mercedes-Benz truck. The suspect hails from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.

Separately, two men identified as Goodwill Ekwere, 26, and Obon Udom, 33, were arrested on Sunday at Ikot Ambon Itam, a suburb of Uyo, over suspected cult-related activities.

“During a preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Vikings cult group. A manhunt has been launched for other fleeing members,” John said.

Items recovered from them include a locally made double-barrel gun, two live cartridges, and a wrap of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp.

In another operation on Tuesday, police arrested a 24-year-old suspect, Gift Ogbuji, near Itiam Bus Stop off Oron Road, Uyo. The arrest followed intelligence reports that a group of young men was seen moving a suspected stolen air conditioner.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects took to their heels. One of them, Gift Ogbuji, was arrested after a hot chase,” the police stated.

Recovered items include a Samsung split-unit air conditioner and a petrol dispensing machine, both suspected to have been stolen.

These arrests follow recent operations in the state that led to the recovery of vandalised infrastructure items, including copper and aluminium cables. One suspect, Inem Jimmy, was apprehended along Ndiya Street, Uyo, for allegedly tampering with power lines—a trend the state government has condemned.

The police say investigations are ongoing in all cases, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend remaining suspects.