The police said the petition prompted the Command to commence intelligence gathering and surveillance aimed at identifying individuals allegedly involved in cult-related activities.
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity and recovered a locally made pistol, battle axe and other items during an intelligence-led operation in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2, following intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational follow-up on alleged cult activities in the community.
The Command's spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Calabar on Saturday.
According to him, the operation followed a petition submitted by residents of Abini to the Commissioner of Police on July 29, 2026, raising concerns over suspected cult activities in the community.
