POLICE ARREST FIVE SUSPECTS IN CROSS RIVER, RECOVER FIVE STOLEN VEHICLES

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly linked to a syndicate involved in the theft of motorcycles and tricycles and recovered five vehicles during an intelligence-led operation in Calabar.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Satellite Town, following credible intelligence on a suspected vehicle theft network operating between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the operation commenced on August 31, 2026, with the arrest of 28-year-old Effiong Archibong Sunday, from whom one suspected stolen motorcycle was recovered.

During preliminary investigations, the suspect allegedly provided information about other members of the suspected network, including individuals identified as “Elewe” and “Efefiong.”

The police alleged that Elewe was involved in stealing motorcycles and tricycles in Akwa Ibom State and transferring them to Efefiong in Cross River State for onward sale. The command, however, stressed that the allegations remained subject to further investigation and judicial determination.

Acting on the information obtained, VCRU operatives conducted a follow-up operation at about 3am on September 1, leading to the arrest of four additional suspects.

They were identified as Archibong Archibong Nsa, 36; Okon Eyo Nsa, 75; Essien Ukpong, 60; and Nsa Essien Eyo, 24.

The police said searches conducted at locations linked to the suspects resulted in the recovery of three tricycles and one motorcycle suspected to have been stolen.

With the motorcycle recovered during the initial arrest, the command said a total of five vehicles had been recovered—three tricycles and two motorcycles.

The ownership and provenance of the recovered vehicles are currently being verified as investigations continue to establish the full extent of the suspected network and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged offences.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the operatives for their prompt response and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the dismantling of criminal syndicates across the state.

Ordue warned individuals involved in the theft, receiving, concealment or sale of stolen vehicles that the police would pursue credible leads and take appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable.

He also urged motorcycle and tricycle owners to promptly report theft incidents and provide useful information to assist the police in recovering stolen property.

The commissioner cautioned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, conducting unlawful searches or harassing persons merely suspected of criminal activities.

The command said further investigations were ongoing, while the suspects remained presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.