From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 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 Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Calabar on Saturday.
According to the statement, the operation followed a petition on suspected cult activities submitted to the Commissioner of Police by the Abini Community in Biase Local Government Area on July 29, 2026.
Following the petition, the Command commenced intelligence gathering and detailed surveillance, which enabled VCRU operatives to identify and track suspected cult activities in the community.
The statement said that on August 22, 2026, at about 5:15 a.m., VCRU operatives moved into the community and arrested 10 suspects 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 include one locally made pistol, one battle axe, one dagger, one beret bearing a secret cult logo, one pair of police camouflage trousers and one cardigan.
The Police said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly belonged to the Axe Men Confraternity.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the VCRU operatives for their professionalism and effective use of intelligence.
He said the operation demonstrated 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.
The Commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to the Police, stressing that community partnership remains essential to effective crime prevention.
The Command said efforts have been intensified to arrest other suspects connected to the case.
It assured the public that all suspects would be subjected to due process and diligent investigation, while anyone found culpable would face the law.
