Cross River Police Arrest 148 Suspects, Secure Nine Convictions in Five Months

Command Highlights Intensified Security Operations from July to November

The Cross River State Police Command has announced that it arrested 148 suspects for various offences between July and November, marking one of its most active periods of enforcement in recent months. Akahi News learnt that the arrests cut across murder, stealing, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other serious crimes affecting communities across the state.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday in Calabar, the Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, provided a detailed breakdown of the command’s operations, prosecutions and ongoing cases, emphasising the renewed commitment of the police to restoring safety, public trust and inter-agency cooperation.

Breakdown of Arrests and Prosecutions

According to CP Afegbua, nine persons were successfully convicted during the five-month period under review. He explained that the command also prosecuted 25 cases in court, involving allegations ranging from murder and armed robbery to kidnapping and stealing.

In addition, 113 cases remain pending before different courts. Out of these, 60 have been transmitted to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice, while 53 are at various stages of hearing across judicial divisions in the state.

Journalists present at the briefing told Akahi News that the command’s data reflected a sustained and strategic clampdown on violent and opportunistic crimes, particularly in metropolitan hubs and border communities.

Offence Categories: Murder, Stealing, Robbery and More

Providing specifics, CP Afegbua disclosed that:

• 19 persons were arrested over alleged murder
• 62 suspects over stealing
• 11 persons for suspected armed robbery
• 5 persons for attempted murder
• 2 suspects for alleged kidnapping

The police also apprehended:

• 19 suspects over rape
• 9 persons over alleged malicious damage
• 7 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms
• 7 persons for assault
• 2 suspects for vandalism
• 2 persons for suspected arson
• 3 suspects for cultism

Akahi News gathered that these arrests reflect broader surveillance and intelligence-led policing activities aimed at addressing both urban and rural security threats.

Weapons and Drug Recoveries

In addition to the arrests, the police command recovered an array of weapons and illicit substances during various operations. Items recovered include:

• One automatic foreign pump-action rifle
• Six locally fabricated long guns
• Five locally made short guns
• 284 cartridges
• 520 cartons of tramadol

CP Afegbua noted that the seizure of these weapons and drugs has significantly reduced the capacity of criminal elements to perpetrate harm, while also preventing illegal pharmaceuticals from flooding local communities.

Strengthening Community Trust and Inter-Agency Cooperation

The police chief highlighted that recent successes were the result of improved collaboration with the civilian population and other security agencies. He added that the command had intensified community policing, resulting in heightened public trust and willingness to provide actionable intelligence.

“We have strengthened inter-agency collaboration; this is to ensure coordinated security efforts. We remain committed to our mandate of ensuring peace and security,” he said.

Security analysts who spoke with Akahi News noted that the Commissioner’s report signals a deliberate push towards consolidating safety, enhancing investigative efficiency and reinforcing police-community synergy across Cross River State.

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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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