The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 11 men over alleged cult initiation activities in a bush near the Engineering Department of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

The suspects were arrested on Thursday, October 22, following a distress call from the university, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata.

The statement said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Satellite Town, Calabar, responded to the report at about 10:30 a.m. and worked with the university’s internal security personnel to cordon off the area.

The arrested suspects were identified as Ogar Favour, 25; David Akpa, 27; Gift Emmanuel, 24; Aaron Favour, 24; David Abubu, 25; Victor Emmanuel Eyibo, 26; Oghenemaro Hendrix, 24; James Ede Joseph, 22; Charles Ekeng, 21; Edu Nkanu, 26; and Ogabor John Odey, 24.

Police said a Lexus 350 saloon car, reportedly abandoned by a person who fled the scene, and three motorcycles were recovered during the operation.

The command said the recovered items had been secured as investigations continued. It added that their possible connection to the alleged cult-related activities had not yet been established.

Police said investigations were ongoing to determine the individual roles of the suspects and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged initiation.