The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old student, Emmanuel Ejim, in connection with a viral video allegedly showing suspected cult members firing gunshots from a moving vehicle in Calabar.

The Command, in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the incident occurred in the early hours of September 17, 2026, prompting Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, to direct the immediate identification and arrest of those involved.

According to the police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, and operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) commenced an intelligence-led operation at about 11:30 p.m. on September 17.

The operation, the Command said, led to the identification and tracking of the vehicle captured in the viral footage and the subsequent arrest of its driver.

The information obtained from the driver reportedly helped the police trace Ejim to a hotel in Calabar, where he was arrested.

The police identified Ejim as a student of the University of Cross River (UNICROSS) and said he allegedly identified himself during questioning as a leader of the Vikings Confraternity.

He allegedly admitted being the person seen firing the shots in the viral video.

The suspect also allegedly told investigators that he participated in a sign-out activity on the day of the incident and that another suspected member of the group handed him the pistol allegedly used in the shooting.

The Command said efforts had been intensified to identify and arrest other persons linked to the incident, adding that the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm and movement of the vehicle remained under investigation.

The Commissioner of Police directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and comprehensively, with anyone found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged act brought before the law.

The Command warned that the unlawful discharge of firearms in public places constituted a serious security concern and urged residents to report suspicious movements, possession of firearms and cult-related activities to the police.

Terrorists, locally dubbed as bandits, have attacked the residence of the Sarkin Fulani of Betuwa in Gulbin Boka, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting the traditional leader, his son and another family member. 

Report says the attack occurred on Friday night when the assailants reportedly stormed the community and invaded the residence of the traditional leader.

Meanwhile, the attackers abducted the Sarkin Fulani, his son and another member of the family before fleeing the area.

The incident was confirmed on Saturday by a security alert platform Bakatsine, which reported that bandits had attacked the residence of the Sarkin Fulani of Betuwa in Gulbin Boka, Mariga LGA.

“Last night, bandits reportedly attacked the residence of the Sarkin Fulani of Betuwa in Gulbin Boka, Mariga LGA of Niger State,” Bakatsine said in the security alert.

“According to local sources, the bandits stormed the residence during the night and abducted the traditional leader, his son, and another family member before fleeing.”

The latest attack has raised concerns over the security situation in Mariga and surrounding communities, where residents remain vulnerable to attacks and abductions by armed groups.

The identities and whereabouts of the abducted victims were not immediately known.

There was also no immediate information on whether security agencies had launched an operation to rescue the victims or apprehend the attackers.

The incident comes amid persistent security challenges in parts of Niger State, particularly rural communities that have faced attacks and abductions by suspected bandits.

Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Farouq Aliyu, has claimed that he rejected the N250 million offered to him to support the third term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said the speaker of the House of Representatives at the time, Aminu Masari, also rejected the sum of N400 million to support the bid.

The third term agenda was one of the most controversial issues that characterised the administration of Obasanjo, who was president between 1999 and 2007.

In May 2006, the National Assembly rejected a bill that sought to amend Nigeria’s constitution, which would have allowed Obasanjo run for a third successive term in office.

The former president has repeatedly denied that he sought a third term in office.

Speaking on a podcast at the weekend ,Aliyu insisted that Obasanjo’s third term agenda was real.

According to him, during discussions about the third term agenda, Nuhu Ribadu, who was the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, asked him to come to Abuja for a meeting with Obasanjo.

Aliyu said he initially rejected Ribadu’s request but later accepted to meet with Obasanjo.

The former lawmaker said when he went to Abuja, he discussed the third term agenda and insisted that the move would not be successful.

He added that he was offered N250 million by someone Ribadu asked him to meet with.

Aliyu, however, did not mention the name of the person during the interview.

He added that Masari rejected the sum of N400 million to support the third term bid, while lawmakers were offered a minimum of N50 million to support the agenda.

“Third term agenda was real. In fact, 250 million was given to me. I did not take it,” he said.

“Masari, who was the speaker then, 400 million was offered. He did not take it. Abdul Ningi, the majority leader, 400 million naira was offered to him. He did not take it.

“N50 million was dashed to small fries. They paid minimum of N50 million.”

The former minority leader said late Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, played prominent roles in thwarting the bid for a third term.