Suspected Student Cultists Arrested with Human Skull, Firearm in Akwa Ibom

In a disturbing development that has sent shockwaves through Akwa Ibom State, the police have arrested seven individuals suspected to be members of a notorious student cult group, the Ku Klux Klans (KKK) Confraternity, in possession of a human skull, firearm, and ritual materials. 

The arrests were made on August 28, 2025, following actionable intelligence provided by a repentant cultist who was formerly associated with the group. 

According to the Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the suspects—believed to be students or affiliates of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in Ikot Osurua—are currently in custody facing multiple charges, including assault, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and human remains. 

DSP John disclosed that the police acted swiftly after receiving a report that the cult group had violently attacked a former member who had renounced his ties to the confraternity. 

The victim, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, was reportedly ambushed on August 25, 2025, along a quiet path near the polytechnic. He was brutally beaten, robbed of his Redmi 13C smartphone and ₦41,000 in cash, and left with serious injuries that required emergency medical attention. 

Armed with intelligence from the victim and other sources, operatives from the state police command launched a targeted operation that led to the arrest of the following individuals: 

Douglas Ambe Esikhene Stephen Asukwo Effiong Saviour Dany Akpan Emmanuel Friday Umoh Augustine Uduak Okon Mary Ating Asukwo Itohowo Christopher Uko A search of their hideout led to the shocking discovery of a fresh human skull, believed to be intended for ritual purposes. 

Also recovered were a locally fabricated short-barrel firearm, seven live cartridges, and several mysterious bottles containing substances identified by preliminary analysis as black oil and Guyanese oil—often associated with occult practices. 

“This is a significant breakthrough in our fight against cultism and youth violence,” DSP John stated. “We are intensifying investigations to trace the origin of the human skull and to determine whether these suspects are linked to other unsolved crimes in the area.” 

She further revealed that the police are collaborating with forensic experts and community leaders to uncover the full scope of the cult’s activities, warning that more arrests are likely in the days ahead as the investigation unfolds. The news has sparked concern among residents and parents, particularly those with children in tertiary institutions within the state. 

Local authorities have urged students to refrain from joining clandestine groups and report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating cult-related violence in Nigerian campuses. 

The Akwa Ibom State Command reiterated its commitment to rooting out such criminal elements and restoring safety to educational environments. 

Further updates will be provided as investigations progress and charges are formally brought against the suspects in court.