Akwa Ibom Police Command has completed arrangements to arraign in court 14 suspected members of Debam confraternity arrested in Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state.
The confraternity was one of the 65 outlawed by Akwa Ibom State government in 2020, though it is embraced by some youths in the area.
The suspected cultists were said to have come from Rivers State to attend the funeral of one Imoh Emmanuel Thompson otherwise known as Landlord from Ikot Effiong Village in Ukanafun.
Thompson, who was alleged to have been killed by members of a rival cult group- Iceland confraternity- in what some people saw as battle of supremacy, was the suspected Debam leader in Ukanafun.
According to an eye witness, the suspects were ambushed and arrested by the police along Ekparakwa-Aba Federal Highway as they were about entering Ikot Udo Ossiom-Ikot Effiong road in Ukanafun.
”As at the time their arrest, they were armed with English pistol and other locally made rifles,’’ the eye witness confided in Straightnews.
Confirming the story to Straightnews on Sunday, October 10, the state Public Police Officer, Odiko MaCdon, confirmed that the police arrested them.
MaCdon, a police superintendent, noted ”They were unlawfully in possession of English pistol. They confessed to have owned the pistol. They also confessed to be members of Debam confraternity.
”They were transferred to the State Investigation Department. The state Commissioner of Police directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Investigation to carry out a discreet investigation. Investigation is ongoing. Very soon, they will be charged to court,’’ he stated.
