By Onwa Ekor
The Cross River Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old man, Emmanuel Ejim Ejim, in connection with a viral video showing suspected cult members firing shots sporadically from a moving vehicle in Calabar.
The arrest followed the circulation of the video, believed to have been recorded in the early hours of September 17, 2026.
The Commissioner of Police, Cross River Command, CP Geoffrey Ordue, immediately ordered the identification and arrest of those involved.
Acting on the directive, at about 11:30 p.m. on September 17, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, and operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) launched an intelligence-led operation.
The team identified and tracked the vehicle captured in the footage, arrested its driver and through information obtained, traced a key suspect to a hotel in Calabar where he was apprehended.
Preliminary investigation identified the suspect as Emmanuel Ejim Ejim, 24, a student of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly identified himself as a leader of the Vikings Confraternity and admitted to being the individual seen firing shots in the viral video.
He further alleged that he had participated in a sign-out activity on the day of the incident and that the pistol used was handed to him by another suspected member of the group.
The Police Command said efforts have been intensified to apprehend other persons connected with the incident, while investigations continue into the source of the firearm and the movement of the vehicle.
Ordue has directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and comprehensively, with all persons found to have participated in or facilitated the act brought to justice.
The Command reiterated that unlawful discharge of firearms in public places poses serious security risks and urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious movements, illegal possession of firearms and cult-related activities to the police.
Further developments will be communicated as investigation progresses.
