The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity during an operation in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area, recovering a locally made pistol and other exhibits, the command announced on Saturday, August 23.
The arrests were carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2, following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and operational follow-up, according to a statement issued by the command's spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, to journalists in Calabar.
Operation Triggered by Community Petition
The operation followed a petition submitted by the Abini community to the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, over suspected cult activities in the area. The petition prompted the command to launch detailed intelligence gathering and surveillance aimed at identifying individuals allegedly involved in cult-related activities in the community.
At about 5:15 am on Saturday, August 22, VCRU operatives moved into the community and arrested 10 suspects. The suspects were 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.
Recovered Items and Preliminary Confessions
The spokesman disclosed that items recovered during the operation included one locally made pistol, a battle axe, a dagger, a beret bearing a secret cult logo, a pair of police camouflage trousers, and a mobile cardigan. According to the police, the suspects allegedly admitted during preliminary interrogation to belonging to the Axe Men Confraternity.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the VCRU operatives for their professionalism and effective deployment of intelligence, adding that the command would continue its efforts to apprehend other suspects.
Police Commissioner Commends VCRU, Urges Public Cooperation
“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,” he said.
He urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to the police, stressing that community partnership remained vital to effective crime prevention. The command is continuing its efforts to apprehend other suspects linked to the cult activities in the community.
