Police arrest graduating student-cult leader who fired gunshot after sign-out   

The police have arrested a 24-year-old man, Emmanuel Ejim Ejim, a graduating student of the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS.

He was arrested on Saturday in connection with a viral video where he shot a pistol sporadically from the window of a moving black jeep, which he and his gang rented for the sign-out event at the University yesterday.

The suspected cult members were also reported to have fired shots sporadically within the Calabar metropolis en route to the school campus.

The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, had ordered for immediate identification and apprehension of those involved.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, and operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) commenced an intelligence-led operation which led to the identification and tracking of the vehicle captured in the viral footage. 

The driver of the vehicle was subsequently arrested, and information obtained during the operation assisted the police in tracing a key suspect to a hotel in Calabar, where he was arrested.

A statement signed by the PRO of the state command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata said, “Preliminary investigation identified the key suspect as Emmanuel Ejim Ejim, male, 24 years. The suspect, a student of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), allegedly identified himself during questioning as a leader of the Vikings Confraternity and allegedly admitted to being the person seen firing the shots in the viral video.”

During interrogation, the suspect stated that he participated in the sign-out activity on the day of the incident and that the pistol allegedly used in the video was handed to him by another suspected member of the group. 

Police operatives have intensified efforts to identify and apprehend other persons connected with the incident, while the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm and the movement of the vehicle remain subjects of investigation, Akata said.

The Commissioner of Police has directed that the investigation be professional and comprehensive.