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Former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, SPIP, Okoi Obono-Obla, has raised the alarm over intensified cult-related killings and drug violence in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, and other parts of Cross River State in the past two months.
He said the rising violence, which has claimed several lives, appears to follow a consistent and ruthless pattern. One Felix Ebri Inah and a few others were reportedly murdered in cold blood, while a woman and her daughter were earlier caught in a crossfire between rival cult gangs.
Obono-Obla, a traditional chief and human rights lawyer, alleged that powerful persons in government were protecting an official believed to be behind the cult violence.
He disclosed that he had petitioned the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services, DSS, the State Security Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu, and the Cross River Commissioner of Police, lamenting that local government chairmen had failed to use their authority to restore security in their areas.
According to him, it appears that none of these security agencies has acted on the repeated appeals.
Two days ago, a man from Anambra State was brutally murdered in an incident captured in a viral video. Obono-Obla alleged that those behind the killing were known individuals being shielded by influential figures.
Calling for urgent action, the former presidential aide urged Governor Bassey Otu to “purge his administration of cultist influence.”
“I am calling on the Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, a leader widely regarded as decent and principled — to act swiftly and decisively in purging his administration of individuals affiliated with vicious and blood-curdling cult groups.
“At present, I am aware of three local council chairmen representing the Northern, Central, and Southern senatorial districts who are active cultists. Nearly all their special advisers on peace and security are also cultists. Their presence in government poses a direct threat to peace, stability, and the integrity of governance in Cross River State,” he said.
He further alleged that one of the individuals linked to the trending Ikom murder video is a “ruthless cultist” under the protection of powerful government officials.
“This situation is unacceptable and dangerous. The infiltration of cult elements into positions of authority undermines the rule of law, endangers citizens, and erodes public trust in democratic institutions,” he warned.
Obono-Obla said he received the viral video on October 19, 2025, from a senior police officer and that it depicted the gruesome killing of a young Nigerian in Ikom in September 2023. He described it as a “horrendous and pitiable miscarriage of justice.”
He insisted that the matter must be revisited to ensure that the bereaved family receives justice and to safeguard the integrity of the justice system.
“As a firm believer in the sanctity of human life, I insist these cases must be pursued to ensure justice for the victims and the moral health of our society,” he said.
Deep findings confirmed that the Traditional Rulers Council in Ugep town, in reaction to the criminal development, in concert with the state government, have set up committees to fish out culprits, forcing such suspects to go underground.
When contacted, Deputy Police PRO, Igri Ewa, said investigations were ongoing. The State Security Adviser, Major General Ubi Obono (rtd), was yet to react.
Meanwhile, the State Ministry of Justice, led by Mr. Ededem Ani, has reportedly taken up previous murder cases, ordering the arrest of key suspects, including Elvis Ntui, Pastor Effiong, and one Barry, all allegedly linked to past cult killings.
Elvis Ntui, described as a notorious cultist, was said to have been shielded from prosecution over the 2023 killing of a young man from Anambra, a case that reportedly sparked national outrage.
Obono-Obla links cult killings to govt officials, demands purge in Cross River
