The Cross River State Police Command has denied allegations that it is shielding suspected cultists linked to a viral video showing sporadic gunfire from a moving vehicle in Calabar.

The Command, in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, said the suspect arrested in connection with the incident remains in police custody and is undergoing investigation.

The statement was issued in response to allegations published by the social media handle “Portrait Peterson,” which claimed that the police were attempting to cover up the identities of persons allegedly involved in the incident.

According to the Command, the arrest of the suspect was not a “formality” or an attempt to divert attention from the allegations.

Police said the suspect would be prosecuted if investigations establish a prima facie case against him.

The Command also said it was investigating the identities of two masked persons seen inside the vehicle in the viral footage who were alleged to be police officers.

It said the suspect had not identified the two individuals, adding that investigators were independently working to determine whether they were members of the police force and, if so, establish their identities, roles and circumstances surrounding their presence in the vehicle.

The police further disclosed that officers involved in an unauthorised video interview with the alleged suspect, which was subsequently leaked online, had been identified and disciplined in line with established police procedures.

The Command said it would not protect personnel found to have acted improperly or compromised investigations involving suspected offenders.

It also urged the operator of “Portrait Peterson” and anyone with credible and verifiable evidence identifying the masked persons or others allegedly involved in related cult activities to submit such information to the police to assist the ongoing investigation.

The Command reiterated its commitment to tackling cultism and violent crime in Cross River State, stressing that anyone found culpable would face the law regardless of status or affiliation.

Members of the public were advised to report emergencies or provide security-related information through the Command Control Room on 0706 797 7330 or 0705 335 5415.