By Asuquo Cletus
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old suspected cultist, Fode Bassey, in connection with an armed robbery incident, recovering a locally fabricated pistol from him.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Eitokpah , disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the suspect was apprehended following a swift police operation.
He said the arrest was linked to a robbery attack carried out on March 29, 2026, during which a victim, identified simply as Edim, was assaulted by four armed youths.
According to the statement, the assailants, armed with cutlasses and a firearm, inflicted injuries on the victim’s left hand and threatened to kill him if he resisted.
The attackers reportedly made away with a bag containing a Delight solar battery valued at N185,000 and cash amounting to N326,000.
“Acting on credible intelligence and the report received, police detectives tracked and arrested one of the suspects, Fode Bassey, on April 1, 2026, at about 10:13am,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson added that the suspect confessed to his involvement in the crime and further revealed that he and his accomplices are members of the Vikings Secret Cult Confraternity.
Sunday stated that a locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspect during the operation.
He noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang who are currently at large.
The command said investigations into the matter were ongoing.
