Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity and recovered a locally made pistol, a battle axe and other incriminating items during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area. The operation, conducted at about 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Sector 2, followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance after residents of Abini community submitted a formal petition to the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, raising concerns over suspected cult activities in the area.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued to journalists in Calabar on Saturday, explaining that the operation was the culmination of detailed intelligence work and community-driven policing. The police identified the suspects 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. During the operation, officers recovered one locally made pistol, one battle axe, one dagger, a beret bearing a secret cult logo, a pair of police camouflage trousers and a mobile cardigan.
Preliminary interrogation of the suspects indicated that they allegedly admitted to belonging 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, describing the operation as a practical demonstration of the Command's D-C-I-I-D-D-T policing strategy. "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," Ordue said.
The Commissioner also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to the police, stressing that cooperation between communities and security agencies remained essential to preventing crime. The Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other individuals allegedly linked to cult activities in the area, and assured that all suspects in custody would be investigated and prosecuted according to due process. The operation in Abini community represents a significant step in the Command's ongoing efforts to prevent cult-related violence and other criminal activities before they escalate into threats to residents, reaffirming the police's commitment to dismantling the networks of secret cults that have terrorised communities across Cross River State.
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