Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a suspected ritualist, Cletus Bassey, and recovered a firearm in the Uruan Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in a statement on Friday in Uyo, the state capital, said the suspect was apprehended on July 29, 2025, at about 7pm at his shrine located in Nung Oku Village, Uruan LGA.

She said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was allegedly involved in ritualistic activities, including providing native charms and “bullet repellers” to armed robbers.

The statement read In part, “Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced another achievement with the arrest of a suspected ritualist and the recovery of a firearm in Uruan Local Government Area.

“On July 29, 2025, at approximately 18:51 hours, operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Cletus Effiong Bassey, a 30-year-old male, at his shrine in Nung Oku Village, Uruan LGA.

“Bassey is suspected of being involved in ritualistic activities, including providing native charms and ‘bullet repellers’ to armed robbers.

“A subsequent search of his compound led to the recovery of one fabricated single-barrel gun.”

The police spokesperson said investigations into the matter are still ongoing. (The PUNCH)