Cult Violence Claims Life of Former SUG President at Father’s Burial in Cross River

On the early morning of October 31, 2025, tragedy struck the Ekori community in Cross River State as Samuel Sampson Udo, a 26-year-old former Student Union Government (SUG) president of the Peace Institute of Management and Technology (Peace Poly), Abak in Akwa Ibom State, was brutally killed during the wake-keeping ceremony of his late father. What was meant to be a solemn and dignified funeral event turned into a horrific scene of violence when rival cult groups engaged in a deadly shootout.

According to eyewitnesses, the violence erupted around 2 a.m. as members of rival cult gangs confronted each other in a “show of strength.” Amid the chaos, gunfire broke out, sending mourners and community members into a panic. Samuel Udo was hit by multiple bullets while attempting to escape the gunfire and died instantly on the spot. His sister, Miss Affiong Sampson, mourned the loss, describing the attack as merciless: “They shot him with bullets as if he was an animal. The family has been shattered and remains in deep grief.”

The violence also left several others injured, including 29-year-old Miss Choice Ikenger, who sustained severe gunshot wounds and was reported to still have bullets lodged in her body at the time of reporting. The Ekori community has since been gripped by fear and trauma following the deadly clash, underscoring the escalating cult violence in Cross River State.

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In 2025 alone, cult-related violence has claimed at least nine lives in Cross River, with escalating incidents reported across Akamkpa, Ikom, Yakurr, and other local government areas. The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Igiri Ewa, confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing, assuring the public that those responsible will be brought to justice.

Community leaders and youth activists have called on the government and security agencies to take urgent and sustained action to quell the rising menace of cult violence. Comrade Ojong Amba, a prominent youth leader, emphasized the need for unity and effective intervention, saying, “Cross River State deserves peace. We must all come together to break this cycle of violence.”

The killing of Samuel Sampson Udo not only highlights the personal tragedy of a bright young leader cut down in his prime but also reflects the broader security crisis that continues to plague parts of southern Nigeria. The residents of Ekori and surrounding communities now live in uncertainty, fearful for their safety during what should be moments of family mourning and communal solidarity.