By Joe Udo
ABAK (CONVERSEER) – The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected cultist, Pius Pius, for allegedly vandalising electricity transformers and public electric cables in Abak Local Government Area and its environs.
The arrest, which took place on Saturday, 20 July 2025, was made by operatives acting on credible intelligence. The suspect, a 40-year-old male, was apprehended at No. 80 School Road by Oku Abak in Abak LGA at about 6:55 p.m.
In a statement released on Monday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the arrest followed surveillance reports linking the suspect to a string of recent attacks on public electrical infrastructure.
“On July 20, 2025, operatives of the Command arrested a suspected cultist and vandal suspect who specialises in the vandalism of feeder transformers and public electric cables within Abak Local Government Area and its environs,” the statement read.
According to the police, a search conducted at the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of disturbing items, including a human skull, one transformer stepdown insulator, one circuit breaker, an electric meter, and fuses. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of the Iceland Confraternity, a group police say has been implicated in the destruction of critical public infrastructure in the state.
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DSP John further disclosed that investigations are ongoing to uncover the extent of the suspect’s operations and identify possible accomplices.
“The Command is committed to ensuring that criminal elements, particularly those targeting essential infrastructure, are brought to book. Further developments will be communicated as they unfold,” she added.
The incident adds to growing concerns over vandalism and cult-related activities in parts of Akwa Ibom, where several communities have suffered disruptions in electricity supply due to damage to power installations.
Residents have commended the police for the swift response and called for increased patrols and surveillance around public utility sites to prevent further sabotage.
