Police Take Action Against Officers for Escorting Cultist Filmed Shooting from Vehicle

The police in Cross River State said they have taken action against officers who escorted a suspected cultist filmed shooting from a moving vehicle in Calabar.

The police are also looking into two masked men seen inside the vehicle. These men are alleged to be police officers.

Police spokesperson in the state, Sunday Eitokpah, shared this information in a statement on Sunday. This follows public outcry over a viral video of the incident.

Mr Eitokpah said the officers involved have been identified and disciplined according to police rules.

The viral video shows a young man lowering the windscreen of a Toyota Land Cruiser and firing shots into the air as the vehicle moved through a street in Calabar.

Some men in the vehicle wore police camouflage. Youths in white shirts and trousers, with their faces covered, were seen following the vehicle.

People can be heard shouting "Vikings" as the convoy passed through the street.

The procession caused disruption, with vehicles in Cross River’s blue-and-white colors making way for the convoy.

Nsemo Offiong shared the video on Facebook, linking it to the "Naija Confra" platform.

The post identified the shooter as the alleged "Vikings number one man" at the Cross River University of Science and Technology.

The suspected cultist claimed to be the "Vikings No. 1" in the university. He told investigators in another video that he was on a carnival float to celebrate his graduation and officially hand over to someone else.

The incident drew public backlash after a Facebook user named “Portrait Peterson” asked why police officers were escorting the suspected cultist.

Mr Peterson noted the arrest of the suspect but questioned where the alleged police escorts were during the incident.

He also suggested that the arrest might be a “mere formality” and urged the police to identify and discipline the officers seen in the video.

In response, the police said they are investigating the identities and roles of the two masked men in the vehicle.

“The suspect has not identified them,” the police command said. They added that they are looking into whether these men are police officers and their roles in the incident.

Mr Eitokpah mentioned that officers who took part in an unauthorized video interview with the suspect after his arrest have also been identified and disciplined.

However, when PREMIUM TIMES asked Mr Eitokpah for details about the officers and the actions taken against them, he did not share specifics.

“It’s unauthorized and a breach of the standard of operations of the NPF,” Mr Eitokpah said about the video where the suspect was questioned.

“That’s all for now. It’s an internal disciplinary matter,” he added.

The police spokesperson said the command would not protect any personnel who acted improperly or compromised an investigation.

This follows the police arresting the suspected cult leader after the video of the shooting circulated. They have also started a manhunt for others believed to be involved.

The suspect was seen in an interview with police officers holding a calabash, which he claimed contained “juju” made for his protection by someone from his village.

He also told police in the video that he did not have a license for the firearm and claimed the officers beside him knew he was shooting but did not stop him.

He said he rented the vehicle for N150,000 per day.

The police confirmed that the suspect is still in custody and will be prosecuted if evidence supports a case against him.

They encouraged anyone with credible information about the alleged police officers or others involved to come forward.

The police also reiterated their commitment to fighting cultism and violent crime in the state, stating that anyone found guilty will face the law, regardless of their status or connections.