Cross River residents gain an immediate reduction in armed presence after police detained ten individuals linked to the Axe Men Confraternity in Abini, Biase Local Government Area.
Operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Sector 2 carried out the arrests following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational follow-up. The action responds to a petition the Abini community filed with the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, alleging cult-related activities.
ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the Cross River State Police Command spokesperson, confirmed the arrests. He 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.”
Police said the operation culminated at about 5:15 am on Saturday, August 22, when officers moved into the community and detained ten 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 include 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. Authorities reported that during preliminary interrogation the suspects allegedly admitted membership of the Axe Men Confraternity.
State Commissioner of Police Ajo Geoffrey Ordue commended the VCRU’s conduct and linked the result to the command’s policing model. He said, “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.”
Ordue urged residents to keep providing credible and timely information, stressing that community partnership remains vital for prevention. The command said it will continue operations to apprehend other suspects and pursue leads generated by the investigation.
