By Blessing Fali
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity and recovered a locally made pistol and other items during an intelligence-led operation in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested at about 5.15am on Saturday, August 22, by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Sector 2, following weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational follow-up.
The operation followed a petition submitted by residents of Abini community to the Commissioner of Police on July 29, raising concerns over suspected cult activities in the area.
The arrested 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.
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.
The police said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly admitted belonging to the Axe Men Confraternity.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the operatives for their professionalism and effective use of intelligence. He said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects linked to the alleged cult activities.
Ordue also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to the police, stressing that cooperation between communities and security agencies was important in preventing crime.
The command said the arrested suspects would be investigated and anyone found culpable would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
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