Calabar Shooting: Police arrest suspected cult leader, launch manhunt for accomplices

The Police Command in Cross River State has arrested a 24-year-old student over a viral video allegedly showing suspected cult members firing shots from a moving vehicle in Calabar.

The command, in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Sunday Eitokpah, said the incident occurred in the early hours of 17 September.

Mr Eitokpah, an assistant superintendent of police, said the arrest followed the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Ajo Ordue, for the immediate identification and apprehension of those involved in the incident.

According to him, the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations and operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit commenced an intelligence-led operation at about 11:30 p.m. on 17 September.

“The operation led to the identification and tracking of the vehicle captured in the viral footage, and resulted in the arrest of its driver.

“Information obtained during the operation assisted the police in tracing a key suspect to a hotel in Calabar, where he was arrested.”

The spokesperson identified the suspect as a student of the University of Cross River, who allegedly identified himself during interrogation as a leader of the Vikings Confraternity.

He said the suspect admitted to being the person seen firing the shots in the viral video.

Mr Eitokpah quoted the suspect as saying that he participated in a sign-out activity on the day of the incident and that another suspected member of the group handed him the pistol allegedly used in the shooting.

The spokesperson said efforts had been intensified to identify and arrest other persons connected with the incident.

He said the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm and the movement of the vehicle were still being investigated.

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He quoted the police commissioner as directing that the investigation be conducted professionally and comprehensively, with all persons found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged act brought to justice.

The police commissioner warned that the unlawful discharge of firearms in public places posed a serious security concern and urged residents to report suspicious movements, illegal possession of firearms, and cult-related activities to the police.