Police Arrest Suspected Black Axe Cultist, Recover Stolen Toyota Hilux in Akwa Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has arrested a suspected member of the Black Axe cult group and recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Hilux vehicle.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement, saying the vehicle, with registration number NYA 399 AA, was reportedly stolen on Thursday.

John said police operatives on routine patrol sighted the vehicle with two men on board, but the occupants fled upon seeing the police.

She said the suspects were pursued to a non-motorable road, where they abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the bush.

“The vehicle has been recovered and is currently undergoing investigation. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” she said.

The spokesperson added that operatives, in a separate raid, arrested a suspected cultist along Abak Road and recovered three live cartridges from him.

According to her, the suspect confessed during interrogation to being a member of the Black Axe cult group.

John said the suspect would remain in custody while investigation continued to identify and apprehend other members of the group.

She quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, as reiterating the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations and proactive policing strategies across the state.

The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities in their neighbourhoods to the police.