Cross River Police Nab Ten Alleged Cultists, Seize Weapons in Abini Community

Operatives of the Cross River State Police Command successfully apprehended ten individuals believed to be members of the notorious Axe Men Confraternity. This operation, driven by intelligence, took place in the Abini community within the Biase Local Government Area, leading to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol and other incriminating items.

The Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), specifically Sector 2, was responsible for these arrests, which followed extensive intelligence collection, meticulous surveillance, and diligent operational execution.

ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, verified the development in a press release distributed to reporters in Calabar on Saturday. He stated that the police action was initiated after the Abini community lodged a formal complaint with the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, concerning suspected cult-related occurrences.

The official statement detailed, “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.”

Furthermore, the police statement indicated that the community's petition spurred the Command to embark on comprehensive intelligence gathering and surveillance to pinpoint individuals reportedly engaged in cult activities within Abini. Consequently, at approximately 5:15 am on Saturday, August 22, VCRU personnel entered the community and apprehended the ten suspects, whose names were released 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).

The police spokesman further revealed that among the items confiscated during the operation were a locally manufactured pistol, a battle axe, a dagger, a beret adorned with a secret cult emblem, a pair of police camouflage trousers, and a mobile cardigan. Preliminary questioning by the police reportedly saw the suspects confessing their affiliation with the Axe Men Confraternity.

CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, the State Commissioner of Police, lauded the VCRU operatives for their commendable professionalism and astute use of intelligence. He affirmed the command's commitment to ongoing efforts to track down and arrest additional suspects linked to these activities.

“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,” CP Ordue stated. He also appealed to residents to maintain their support by providing accurate and prompt information to law enforcement, emphasizing that collaboration with the community is crucial for successful crime prevention.