Police storm Cross River community, arrest 10 suspected cultists

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity during an intelligence-driven operation in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area.

The operation, conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2, also led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and other items suspected to be linked to cult activities.

The command’s spokesperson,  Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Calabar on Saturday.

He said the operation was launched after the Abini community petitioned the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, raising concerns over alleged cult activities in the area.

“The Cross River State Police Command has arrested ten (10) suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity and recovered a locally made pistol and other exhibits following sustained operational follow-up, tactical intelligence and detailed surveillance by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2.”

Eitokpah said the petition prompted the police to intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance to identify those allegedly involved in cult-related activities.

He added that at about 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, operatives moved into Abini and arrested 10 suspects.

The suspects 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 a locally made pistol, battle axe, dagger, beret bearing a secret cult logo, police camouflage trousers and a mobile cardigan.

The police said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects admitted belonging to the Axe Men Confraternity.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, praised the VCRU operatives for their professionalism and effective use of intelligence.

“I commend the VCRU operatives for their professionalism and effective deployment of intelligence. This operation underscores the practical application of the Command’s D-C-I-I-D-D-T policing strategy, particularly Intelligence-Led Policing and Community Policing, in identifying and disrupting criminal activities before they escalate into threats to public safety,” he said.

Ordue said the command would continue efforts to track down other suspects linked to cult activities.

He also called on residents to provide the police with credible and timely information, stressing that cooperation between communities and security agencies remained essential to preventing crime.

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity during an intelligence-driven operation in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area.

The operation, conducted by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2, also led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and other items suspected to be linked to cult activities.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Calabar on Saturday.

He said the operation was launched after the Abini community petitioned the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, raising concerns over alleged cult activities in the area.

“The Cross River State Police Command has arrested ten (10) suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity and recovered a locally made pistol and other exhibits following sustained operational follow-up, tactical intelligence and detailed surveillance by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2.”

Eitokpah said the petition prompted the police to intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance to identify those allegedly involved in cult-related activities.

He added that at about 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, operatives moved into Abini and arrested 10 suspects.

The suspects 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 a locally made pistol, battle axe, dagger, beret bearing a secret cult logo, police camouflage trousers and a mobile cardigan.

The police said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects admitted belonging to the Axe Men Confraternity.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, praised the VCRU operatives for their professionalism and effective use of intelligence.

“I commend the VCRU operatives for their professionalism and effective deployment of intelligence. This operation underscores the practical application of the Command’s D-C-I-I-D-D-T policing strategy, particularly Intelligence-Led Policing and Community Policing, in identifying and disrupting criminal activities before they escalate into threats to public safety,” he said.

Ordue said the command would continue efforts to track down other suspects linked to cult activities.

He also called on residents to provide the police with credible and timely information, stressing that cooperation between communities and security agencies remained essential to preventing crime.