# Security and governance allegations in Cross River State

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/security-and-governance-allegations-in-cross-river-state
> Updated: 2026-08-22T14:41:55.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

In Cross River State, government officials have denied allegations of financial mismanagement and claims that the state has been making payments to cult groups to maintain peace. Commissioner for Information Ekpenyong Cobham described such reports as “unsubstantiated rumors” and challenged critics to provide verifiable evidence.

Following these denials, the Cross River State Police Command conducted a raid in the Abini community of the Biase Local Government Area. During the operation, police arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity. Authorities recovered several weapons and items, including a locally made pistol, a battle axe, a dagger, and police camouflage trousers. The suspects, aged between 18 and 27, reportedly admitted to their membership during preliminary interrogations.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-22: Cross River Police arrest 10 suspected cultists in Abini

Cross River State Police arrested 10 suspected Axe Men Confraternity members in Abini following a community petition and intelligence-led raid, recovering a pistol and other weapons.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cross-river-police-arrest-10-suspected-cultists-in-abini

### 2026-08-18: Cross River State officials deny funding and security allegations

Cross River State officials have denied allegations of local government underfunding and claims that the state is paying cult groups to maintain peace and security.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cross-river-state-officials-deny-funding-and-security-allegations

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Cite as: Security and governance allegations in Cross River State. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/security-and-governance-allegations-in-cross-river-state