CALABAR, NIGERIA — The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old student of the University of Cross River State, Emmanuel Ejim, over a viral video showing him firing a gun from a moving vehicle.
The arrest was confirmed on Friday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, during a press briefing in Calabar. She said the suspect was apprehended following a thorough investigation and intelligence gathering by the Command’s anti-cultism unit.
According to Ugbo, the video, which circulated widely on social media, showed the suspect firing a locally made pistol from a moving vehicle in the company of other occupants. She said the video sparked panic and concern among residents, prompting the police to launch an investigation.
“The Command received reports of a viral video showing a young man firing a gun from a moving vehicle. Our operatives immediately commenced an investigation, and the suspect, Emmanuel Ejim, a 24-year-old student of UNICROSS, was arrested. A locally made pistol and ammunition were recovered from him,” Ugbo stated.
She said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was allegedly a member of a cult group and that the video was filmed during a cult-related outing. She said the suspect had confessed to the crime and had provided useful information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the group.
“The suspect has confessed to being a member of a cult group and has provided information that will assist us in apprehending other members of the gang. We are intensifying efforts to arrest all those involved,” Ugbo said.
The police spokesperson said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation. She warned that the Command would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the peace of the state, particularly cultism and illegal possession of firearms.
“We want to send a strong message to cultists and other criminal elements in Cross River State: there is no hiding place for you. We will fish you out and bring you to justice, no matter how long it takes,” she said.
The arrest of the student has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some praising the police for their swift action and others expressing concern about the growing prevalence of cultism and gun violence among young people in the state.
The management of UNICROSS has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but sources within the institution indicated that the university would cooperate fully with the police investigation. The Student Union Government has also condemned the incident, urging students to shun cultism and violence.
The arrest comes amid heightened concerns over the activities of cult groups in Cross River State, which have been linked to several violent incidents in recent months. The police have intensified their crackdown on cultism, arresting several suspects and recovering weapons.
As the investigation continues, the police have urged residents to provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the gang. For now, the suspect remains in custody, and the police have assured the public that they will do everything possible to rid the state of cultism and criminality.
