Police Arrest 10 Suspected Cult!sts, Recover Fire∆rm in Cross River
Police Arrest 10 Suspected Cultists, Recover Firearm 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, battle axe and other incriminating items during a raid in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area.
The arrests followed a petition submitted by the Abini Community to the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, alleging cult activities in the area.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2, launched intelligence-driven surveillance that led to the identification and tracking of the suspects.
The police said the operation was carried out at about 5:15 a.m. on August 22, during which 10 suspects were apprehended.
Those arrested were identified as 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.
Items recovered from the suspects included one locally made pistol, a battle axe, a dagger, a beret bearing the insignia of a secret cult, a pair of police camouflage trousers and a mobile cardigan.
Police said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of the Axe Men Confraternity.
Commissioner of Police Ajo Geoffrey Ordue commended the VCRU operatives for what he described as their professionalism and effective deployment of intelligence in dismantling the suspected cult network.
He said the operation demonstrated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led and community policing in preventing criminal activities before they escalate into threats to public safety.
The Commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that community partnership remains vital in the fight against crime.
He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects linked to the case, assuring that those found culpable after investigation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
