The police command in Akwa Ibom has arrested 15 suspected cultists in the Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom as the council shuts down two brothels.

A spokesman for the command, SP Odiko Macdon, said police officers raided a popular spot at Afaha Ukwa, considered a hotspot for criminal activities in the local government.

A renewed cult war started on June 21, leaving persons killed.

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

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

Mr Macdon explained that the police commissioner had directed that the suspects be screened and those found culpable charged to court.

He added that the command would continue to raid black spots and go after hoodlums in Eket and its environs.

Meanwhile, Akaninyene Tommy, the chairman of Eket LGA, has sealed two brothels at Afaha Uqua and Ofriyo.

“The brothels were sealed and asked to stop operations indefinitely. Whenever there was a crisis in Eket, it emanated from the brothels in the area.

“As a government, we are here to ensure the spots are shut permanently, and no business will ever take place there again,” said Mr Tommy.

He commended the police force and charged them not to spare anyone in the course of their duty.