Police Arrest Cross River Varsity Student Over Cult Shooting

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old student of the University of Cross River State, Emmanuel Ejim Ejim, in connection with 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 Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said the incident occurred in the early hours of September 17, 2026.

According to the statement, the arrest followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, for the immediate identification and apprehension of those involved in the incident.

The police said the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, and operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit commenced an intelligence-led operation at about 11:30pm on September 17, which led to the identification and tracking of the vehicle captured in the viral footage.

The driver of the vehicle was subsequently arrested, while information obtained during the operation reportedly helped the police trace the key suspect to a hotel in Calabar, where he was arrested.

The statement read, “Preliminary investigation identified the key suspect as Emmanuel Ejim Ejim, male, 24 years. The suspect, a student of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), allegedly identified himself during questioning as a leader of the Vikings Confraternity and allegedly admitted to being the person seen firing the shots in the viral video.”

The police further alleged that Ejim told investigators that he had 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 video.

The command said efforts had been intensified to identify and arrest other persons connected with the incident, adding that the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm and movement of the vehicle remained under investigation.

The Commissioner of Police directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and comprehensively, with anyone found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged act brought to justice.

The command also urged members of the public to report suspicious movements, illegal possession of firearms and cult-related activities to the police.

The police said further developments would be communicated as the investigation progresses.