At least 15 people have been arrested in Akwa Ibom State on suspicion they were involved in cult-related activities.

The State Police Command said the suspects were nabbed in Eket local government area.

Police Spokesman SP Odiko Macdon told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that officers raided a popular spot at Afaha Ukwa, a hotspot for criminal activities in Eket.

“We have arrested 15 suspected cultists during the raid on criminal hideouts in Eket and its environs,” he said on Friday. “If you raid and make an arrest of 15, it does not mean that all of them are guilty.”

Reports say a renewed cult war in Eket started on 21June, and that three suspected cult members have lost their lives so far.

Continuing, Macdon said, “you can’t arrest 15 people now through raiding because of cult activities and believe that there are no innocent persons amongst them”.

He explained that the Commissioner of Police Mr Andrew Amiengheme had directed that the suspects would be screened and those found culpable would be charged to court.

The spokesman said the command would continue to raid black spots and go after the perpetrators in Eket and its environs.

Meanwhile, Mr Akaninyene Tommy, the Chairman of Eket LGA, has sealed two brothels at Afaha Uqua and Ofriyo, where the perpetrators used to commit the act.

“The brothels were sealed and asked to stop operations indefinitely, whenever there was crisis in Eket, it emanated from the brothels in the area,” Tommy said. “As a government, we are here to ensure the spots are shut permanently and no business will ever take place there again.”

He commended the police force and charged them not to spare anyone in the course of their duty as the safety and wellbeing of Eket people were paramount.

–With NAN