Police nab 10 suspected cult members in Cross River, seize weapons

The Cross River State Police has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity. They also recovered a locally made pistol and other items during a recent operation in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area.

The arrests happened thanks to the Violent Crime Response Unit, Sector 2. They used intelligence gathering, surveillance, and follow-up operations to make the arrests.

ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the spokesperson for the Cross River State Police, confirmed this in a statement to reporters in Calabar on Saturday. He explained that the operation came after the Abini community submitted a petition to the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, about suspected cult activities.

The statement said, "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."

The police said the petition led them to gather intelligence and monitor the community to find those involved in cult activities. On Saturday, August 22, around 5:15 am, the VCRU operatives entered the community and arrested the suspects. They 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.

The police recovered several items during the operation. These included one locally made pistol, a battle axe, a dagger, a beret with a cult logo, police camouflage trousers, and a mobile cardigan.

During initial questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to being part of the Axe Men Confraternity. CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, the State Commissioner of Police, praised the VCRU operatives for their professionalism and smart use of intelligence. He added that the police will keep working to catch other suspects.

"I commend the VCRU operatives for their professionalism and effective deployment of intelligence. This operation shows how the Command’s D-C-I-I-D-D-T policing strategy works, especially Intelligence-Led Policing and Community Policing, in stopping crime before it becomes a public safety issue," he said.

He also asked community members to keep sharing useful information with the police. He emphasized that teamwork with the community is crucial for preventing crime.