The police in Cross River State have arrested a 24-year-old suspected ritualist, Larry Sanyu, who was caught performing suspicious rituals and incantations in a hotel, along Asari Eso Street in Calabar.
The following items were recovered from the suspect, a small mortar and pestle, candles of various colours, six empty Ghana-must-go bags and assorted charms and other personal items.
The development was made known during a press briefing held at the state police headquarters in Calabar, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ugbo Irene.
Ugbo, who disclosed that the suspect has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further interrogation and possible prosecution, said he was arrested following a distress call from the manager of the hotel.
She also announced that the command’s anti-cultism squad, acting on a tip-off, stormed a location at Usong Esuk Community in Odukpani Local Government Area, where suspected drug traffickers were loading a Peugeot J5 van with bags believed to contain Indian hemp.
Read also:
- Cross Rivers Police Commissioner warns officers against extortion, illegal detentions
- Police arrest kidnapping, robbery suspects in Delta
- Police dismantle inter-state car theft syndicate, arrest 4 suspects in Taraba
Upon sighting the police team, the suspects fled, abandoning the vehicle and contents, the police spokesperson said.
She explained that 28 bags of the substance were recovered, pending onward transfer to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for detailed analysis..
Ugbo said that the police action is part of its continued effort to strengthen security and curb crime across Cross River State, explaining that the state police command continues to demonstrate its resilience and readiness to tackle crime head-on.
According to her, with sustained community engagement and proactive enforcement, the hope for a safer, more secure Cross River State remains strong.
