By Esseh Ikora
Barely two weeks after governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state banned 33 cult groups in the state, the state police command, today arraigned 17 persons including two police sergeants at Uyo High court on two count charge of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.
They suspects, who included two University of Uyo (UNIUYO) who appeared before Justice Archibong Archibong, at the Uyo High Court, admitted being members of the proscribed Ku Klux Klaans (KKK) confraternity.
After reading the charges brought against them, Justice Archibong, said, “the alleged offences contravened section 6 of Akwa Ibom State Internal Security Enforcement Law 2009 and section 6 (1) of Firearms Special Prohibition Act, Laws of the Federation 2004.”
He, therefore, adjourned the matter to May 3, 2018, for further hearing and cross-examinations of the suspects.
The Police and other security agencies have arrested several suspects for alleged involvement in cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other nefarious activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Odiko Macdon Ogbeche, who spoke our correspondent confirmed that 17 of the suspects including two Policemen, two University of Uyo (UNIUYO) students and a 29-year-old phone repairer at the Ibom Plaza roundabout, were among those prosecuted by the Command.
While one of the Policemen, a sergeant, it was gathered, is said to be attached to the Ibom International Airport, the other Police officer, also a sergeant, is one of the security aides to a member of the State House of Assembly.
The two UNIUYO students, it was learnt, are second year Accounting and third year Philosophy undergraduates of the institution.
The PPRO said “we are the people who arraigned them; our ground men on combat operations arrested them in different parts of the State”, adding that “we are mopping arms as directed by the Inspector General of Police.
