Police Hunt Suspected Cultists for Killing Friend Over Fraud Proceeds in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has intensified efforts to track down two suspected cultists, identified as Mr. Aziz and Benji (surname withheld), over proceeds from an internet fraud deal.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Irene Ugbo, the incident occurred on Sunday, February 2, in Essien Town, Calabar. Although the case was not formally reported to the police, officers launched an investigation upon receiving information about the crime.

A source familiar with the case revealed that the victim, who was involved in internet fraud, had recently obtained N5 million from an online scam. One of his girlfriends allegedly disclosed this information to his friends, who were cult members. The suspects, who were reportedly owed N300,000 by Benji, lured him to a meeting place and attacked him with a cutlass.

In an attempt to appease his attackers, Benji transferred N500,000 to them. However, they were unsatisfied and, upon discovering through his phone that he still had more money, they continued to beat him until he surrendered his PIN. The suspects then transferred the entire amount to their account.

Realizing he had died from the brutal assault, they dismembered his body, placed the remains in a sack, and dumped it at his grandmother’s residence on Spring Road in Ekoirinim, Calabar Municipal. The elderly woman, noticing blood stains on the sack, raised an alarm, but by the time help arrived, the suspects had fled.

The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.