Police arrest 11 over suspected cult initiation near UNICAL

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects over cult initiation activities in a bush near the University of Calabar.

The spokesperson for the command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 23, 2026 said a Lexus 350 saloon car and three motorcycles abandoned by some fleeing individuals were recovered during the operation.

According to the PPRO, the suspects were arrested on October 22 following a distress call from the university on a suspected cult initiation activities in a nearby bush. 

“The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, psc, mnips, mspsp, has arrested 11 male suspects following a joint operation targeting suspected cult initiation activities near the Engineering Department of the University of Calabar,” the statement read.

"The operation highlights the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and collaboration with institutional security personnel to prevent cult-related violence.

"On 22 October 2026, at about 1030 hours, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Satellite Town, Calabar, responded to a distress call from the university on a suspected cult initiation activities in a nearby bush. 

"Acting on the information the Command joined the university’s internal security personnel to cordon off the area.

"The operation resulted in the arrest of 11 male suspects identified as Ogar Favour, 25; David Akpa, 27; Gift Emmanuel, 24; Aaron Favour, 24; David Abubu, 25; Victor Emmanuel Eyibo, 26; Oghenemaro Hendrix, 24; James Ede Joseph, 22; Charles Ekeng, 21; Edu Nkanu, 26; and Ogabor John Odey, 24. 

"The suspects are being investigated to establish their individual roles and the circumstances surrounding the reported activity.

"Items recovered during the operation include a Lexus 350 saloon car reportedly abandoned by a fleeing individual and three motorcycles. 

"The items have been secured for investigative purposes. No connection between the recovered vehicles and the suspected cult-related activity has been established at this stage.

"The Commissioner of Police reiterates the Command’s resolve to prevent cultism and other violent crimes through proactive policing, credible intelligence and effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders. 

"The Command will continue to respond to security information while ensuring that investigations are conducted professionally and in accordance with the law.

"The Command urges members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in preventing crime and protecting lives and property.

“Investigation into the incident is ongoing, and all suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.”