Police arrest 10 suspected cultists, recover weapons in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity and recovered a locally made pistol and other weapons in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area.

The suspects were arrested at about 5:15 am on Saturday, August 22, 2026, by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, Sector 2, following intelligence gathering and surveillance.

The operation followed a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police by members of Abini community on July 29, 2026, over alleged cult activities in the area.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the suspects arrested are Jester Enyi, 25; Godwill Mansala, 22; Prosper Okey, 23; Emmanuel Uno, 26; Onyebuchi Eyong, 22; Elisha Emmanuel, 27; Christian Esu, 25; Daniel Uno, 23; Nelson Ibete, 23; and Roland Uno, 18.

Police said one locally made pistol, a battle axe, dagger, beret bearing a secret cult logo, a pair of police camouflage trousers and a mobile cardigan were recovered during the operation.

The Command said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly belonged to the Axe Men Confraternity.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the VCRU operatives for what he described as professional deployment of intelligence, saying the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led and community policing in disrupting criminal activities.

He urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to the police, stressing that community partnership was essential to crime prevention.

The police said efforts had been intensified to arrest other suspects linked to the case, adding that the arrested persons would be subjected to due process and diligent investigation.

The Command assured that anyone found culpable would be made to face the law.