What should have been a solemn night of farewell in Ekori community, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, turned into one of the most horrifying tragedies the community has witnessed in recent years. Akahi News learnt that a wake-keeping ceremony organised in honour of a respected community leader, Mr. Sampson Udo, was violently disrupted by rival cult gangs, leading to the death of his 26-year-old son, Samuel Sampson Udo — a former Student Union Government (SUG) president of Peace Institute of Management and Technology (Peace Poly), Abak, Akwa Ibom State.
In a matter of seconds, a peaceful gathering descended into chaos, leaving several persons critically injured and the entire community drowned in fear, grief, and confusion.
A Night of Farewell That Turned Into Bloodshed
Gunfire Erupts at Wake-Keeping Ceremony
The wake-keeping, which drew friends, relatives, neighbours and associates of the late Mr. Udo, was underway when the peace was abruptly shattered. Eyewitnesses told Akahi News that around 2 a.m. on October 31, 2025, what began as a small dispute quickly escalated into a violent confrontation between rival cult groups, triggering deadly gunfire in the middle of the mourning grounds.
Residents who were present described a scene of sheer terror.
“There was laughter, songs, and people greeting each other. Suddenly, the sound of gunshots filled the air. Everyone started running, locking their doors, screaming,” a resident, Utum Ofem Ubi, recounted.
As bullets flew indiscriminately, mourners scrambled for safety. In the tragic confusion that followed, the deceased’s son, Samuel Udo, was struck multiple times as he attempted to escape the crossfire.
How the Former SUG President Was Killed
According to Akahi News findings, Samuel was hit by several bullets as rival cultists exchanged fire in what some witnesses described as a “show of power.” His body was torn apart by the impact, a level of brutality that has left even hardened community members speechless.
His sister, Miss Affiong Sampson, wept as she narrated the family’s pain:
“They shot him as if he was an animal. My brother’s body was scattered with bullets. Since that night, our family has not known peace.”
To the shock of many, Samuel died on the same night his late father was being honoured, joining him in death in a tragedy that has devastated the entire Ekori community.
Others Caught in the Crossfire
29-Year-Old Woman Critically Injured With Bullets Lodged in Her Body
The violence did not end with Samuel’s death. Several other mourners suffered severe injuries, including 29-year-old Miss Choice Ikenger, who was hit by bullets that doctors say are still lodged deep within her body.
Her mother, Silvia, cried as she told journalists what her family has endured since the attack:
“My daughter has been in serious pain. We have spent money we don’t have just to keep her alive. That night shattered our family.”
Other survivors are still receiving treatment, while some remain traumatised, unable to speak about the events of that night.
A Community Living in Fear
Cult Violence: A Growing Epidemic in Cross River State
Sadly, the Ekori incident is only the latest in a long list of cult-related killings in Cross River State. Akahi News gathered that in 2025 alone, at least nine persons have been killed in separate cult clashes across various communities.
In April 2025, a deadly retaliation attack in Camp 2, Mfamosing (Akamkpa LGA) left five persons dead. In Ikom LGA, a violent confrontation between Vikings and KK confraternities also claimed two lives earlier this year.
Community leaders say many of these cases go unreported, allowing the cycle of violence to continue unchecked.
Cultism’s Deep Roots: A Crisis Beyond Ekori
From Campuses to Communities: The Spread of a Deadly Culture
What began decades ago as restricted campus confraternities has now grown into a full-blown societal plague. Cultism has infiltrated secondary schools, university campuses, urban areas, and remote communities.
Horrific Initiation Rituals and Diabolical Beliefs
During investigations, Akahi News gathered disturbing accounts of initiation rites where new recruits are beaten into unconsciousness, forced to commit violent crimes, or subjected to macabre rituals including the drinking of human blood.
Some cults also believe that rituals make members bulletproof or invisible to enemies, a myth that emboldens them to carry out violent attacks.
A History of Campus Bloodshed in Cross River State
CRUTECH: A Hotbed of Cult Killings
CRUTECH (now UNICROSS) has faced several notorious cult-related killings. In July 2019, a final-year engineering student named James was shot multiple times while writing his exam on campus before cultists hacked him with an axe to ensure he was dead.
Another student, Felix Egot, was similarly murdered by suspected cultists in a related attack.
UNICAL Not Spared
The University of Calabar has also been plagued by cult violence.
- In March 2017, a student was shot at the “love garden” near the hostel.
- In October 2019, five students were paraded by police for cultism.
- In 2017, a lecturer in Accounting identified as Dr. E. was assassinated in an incident linked to cult rivalry.
- In 2012, Associate Professor Felix Akpan was shot, sparking a wave of fears across campus.
These cases underline a recurring pattern — cultism in the state is deep-rooted, widespread, and deadly.
Voices of Outrage, Grief, and Fear
Families and Residents Demand Justice and Security Reforms
A social critic, Mr. Mbeh Egbe, condemned the government for failing to protect residents:
“Killers are getting away with murder. Perpetrators are neither arrested nor punished. The people are not safe.”
Criminologist Dr. Asuquo Etim linked the rise in cultism to poverty, unemployment, and the search for influence:
“Cultism is driven by a desire for power and economic gain. It thrives where young people lack alternatives.”
Community leader and lawyer, Chief Barr. Okoi Obono-Obla, warned that Yakurr LGA risks drifting into a full-scale crisis if the government fails to act decisively.
Police Response
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Igiri Ewa, assured Akahi News that investigations are underway:
“We have discreet investigations ongoing to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
But residents remain sceptical, saying police intervention often comes too late to prevent further tragedies.
Communities on Edge
Ekori residents told Akahi News that they now live in constant fear. Some refuse to speak publicly for fear of being targeted by cult gangs. In nearby Ikom LGA, youth leader Comrade Ojong Amba warned that Cross River State is nearing a dangerous tipping point.
“We must all work together to end this cycle of violence. The future of our children is at stake.”
The Path Forward: A Call to Action
Government, Security Agencies, and Community Leaders Must Unite
The escalating violence clearly shows that cultism is not a fringe issue but a national security threat. Experts say the solution must be collective, resolute, and immediate.
To restore peace, the following steps are crucial:
- Government must strengthen security operations and intelligence gathering.
- Security agencies must prioritise swift arrests and prosecution of cult perpetrators.
- Community leaders must openly condemn cultism and guide youth positively.
- Residents must report suspicious activity and refuse to harbour cultists.
As Akahi News gathered, only a shared commitment can free Ekori and other communities from the grip of violent confraternities.
The killing of 26-year-old Samuel Sampson Udo during his father’s wake is a tragedy that has forced Cross River State to confront an uncomfortable truth: cultism has grown into a monster threatening the very soul of the region.
Unless decisive action is taken, more families may find themselves grieving like the Udo family. The people of Ekori — and indeed Cross River State — deserve safety, justice, and a future free from fear.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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