The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected ritualist, Cletus Bassey, for allegedly supplying charms and “bullet-repelling” protections to armed robbers and other criminal gangs.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, noting that the suspect was apprehended on July 29, 2025, at about 7:00 p.m. during a targeted police operation. Bassey was arrested at his shrine located in Nung Oku Village, Uruan Local Government Area of the state following credible intelligence.
According to SP John, preliminary investigations revealed that the 30-year-old suspect had been actively engaged in ritualistic practices, providing native charms, amulets, and other fetish materials to suspected criminals in exchange for money and other forms of payment. These charms were allegedly used to instill fear in victims, evade law enforcement, and, in some cases, serve as purported “bullet repellants” during armed operations.
> “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded yet another operational success in its ongoing efforts to rid the state of violent crimes and criminal gangs. Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives arrested one Cletus Bassey, a suspected ritualist, and recovered a locally-made firearm from the premises,” SP John said.
The Police spokesperson further stated that the operation was part of the Command’s broader crackdown on crime networks, especially those relying on fetish powers to embolden criminals. She explained that the suspect’s activities were not only aiding and abetting armed robbery but also promoting dangerous superstitious beliefs that embolden criminals to take reckless risks.
While urging residents to shun patronizing such individuals, SP John assured that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
She reiterated the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, to intensify intelligence-led operations, dismantle criminal networks, and ensure that all persons aiding or participating in crimes face the full weight of the law.
The Police Command also appealed to the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist security agencies in combating crime in the state.
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