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 said the suspect arrested in connection with the incident remains in police custody and is undergoing investigation.
The police spokesperson, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday following allegations made by the social media handle, Portrait Peterson.
The platform had alleged that the police were attempting to conceal the identities of suspected cultists following the arrest of a suspect linked to the viral shooting video.
However, the Command rejected the allegation, insisting that the arrest was not a formality or an attempt to divert attention from the incident.
The police said the suspect would be prosecuted if investigations establish a prima facie case against him.
The Command also said it was investigating two masked individuals seen inside the vehicle in the viral video who were alleged to be police officers.
According to the police, the suspect in custody had not identified the masked persons.
The Command said it was independently investigating whether the masked individuals were police officers and, if confirmed, would establish their identities, roles and the circumstances surrounding their presence.
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The police also disclosed that officers involved in an unauthorised video interview with the suspect, which was later leaked, had been identified and disciplined.
The Command maintained that it would not protect any personnel found to have acted improperly or compromised the investigation.
It urged anyone with credible and verifiable information about the masked individuals or others allegedly involved in cult-related activities to submit such evidence to the police.
The Command assured residents that all allegations would be properly investigated and that anyone found culpable would face the law regardless of status or affiliation.
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