The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 11 men over suspected cult initiation activities in a bush near the University of Calabar.
The suspects were arrested on October 22 after the police received a distress call from the university about the alleged activity.
Police spokesperson ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 23, 2026.
According to the statement, officers from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Satellite Town, Calabar, worked with the university’s internal security team to surround the area.
The arrested suspects were 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.
Police also recovered a Lexus 350 saloon car, reportedly abandoned by a fleeing individual, and three motorcycles. The items have been secured for investigation, but authorities said no link between the vehicles and the suspected cult activity has been established.
The statement said the suspects are being investigated to determine their individual roles and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to fighting cultism and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing and cooperation with relevant stakeholders.
The police urged the public to provide useful information to help prevent crime and protect lives and property.
Investigation is ongoing, and all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
