40 young people leave cults, choose peace in Cross River

About 40 young people in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, have quit the Vikings, Klans, and Axemen cult groups. They promised to live lawfully.

The youths made this pledge on August 26, 2026, during a program organized by the Cross River State Police Command. They worked with the Abini Elites Association, which includes the Clan Head and Chiefs of Abini Community, and the LauraHope Foundation.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed this in a statement to journalists on Monday in Calabar. He said the initiative is part of the proactive, community-based crime prevention plan by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue.

The statement said, "The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue, has recorded a significant breakthrough in its proactive, community-based crime prevention strategy, as about 40 youths associated with the Vikings, Klans and Axemen cult groups in Abini Community, Biase Local Government Area, renounced their membership and pledged to embrace peaceful and law-abiding lifestyles."

The youths took this step during the sensitization and engagement program organized by the Command with the help of the Abini Elites Association and the LauraHope Foundation, he said.

The program focused on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, unlawful possession of firearms, and other social issues.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue, was represented at the event by CSP Innocent Ayabotu, the Divisional Police Officer of Yakurr Division. He urged the youths to reject crime and become peace and development advocates in their community.

"Our engagement is focused on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, unlawful possession of firearms, and other social vices. I want to urge youths to reject criminality and become agents of peace and development in their community," he stated.

CP Ordue said this progress shows the Command’s plans to stabilize crime prevention, gather intelligence, and intervene early to stop factors that draw youths into crime. He added that this fits into the policing framework that focuses on intelligence-led and community-based policing.

The Commissioner praised traditional rulers, community leaders, LauraHope Foundation, and the youths for their cooperation. He emphasized that lasting security needs teamwork between the Police, communities, and other partners.

The Command assured residents that it will keep using intelligence-led enforcement with preventive actions and community partnerships to fight crime, protect vulnerable youths, and maintain peace across Cross River State.

"We will continue to combine intelligence-led enforcement with preventive interventions, strategic community engagement, and partnership-driven policies to sensitize our youths to reject cultism and other forms of criminality while encouraging them to become positive agents of peace and development within their community," the Commissioner added.