Two suspected cult leaders have been arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FoB) in the oil bearing coastal community of Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The community has been thrown into tension over the ongoing war between rival cult groups – the Red Skin and the Baggas.
Parading the suspects at the Base on Wednesday, the Commanding Officer (CO), Capt. Uche Aneke, who handed over the suspects to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akwa Ibom Command, said it was for further investigation and prosecution.
Capt. Aneke recalled that the suspects were arrested on Sunday, March 17, 2024, following reports of an ongoing cult war between the Red Skin and Baggas cult groups in Ibaka Community.
“Members of the rival cult groups were engaged in a battle for supremacy, thereby disturbing the peace of the community,” Aneke stressed, disclosing that one of the suspects was found with a locally made pistol, a live cartridge and a machete,” Aneke said.
The Commanding Officer decried the menace of cultism and warned individuals or groups in the habits of carrying out any form of criminality in the Base’s area of operation to desist or face the wrath of the law.
“Under the current leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, we will ensure that, it is impossible for cultists and militants to operate freely both on land and in the maritime areas of Akwa Ibom.
“Criminal elements in FOB, Ibaka area of operations under the Eastern Naval Command area of responsibility will continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence arrested and duly prosecuted,” he vowed.
Receiving the suspects and arms, representative of the DSS, Mr. Abe Sunday, promised a thorough investigation and due diligence in the prosecution of the suspects if found guilty.