Police Arrest Five Robbers in Cross River, Recover Stolen Vehicles
Intelligence-Led Operation in Calabar Leads to Arrest of Suspected Motorcycle and Tricycle Theft Network.
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested five people suspected of belonging to a motorcycle and tricycle theft syndicate in Calabar, the state capital. The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit of the Satellite Town area, with five vehicles suspected to have been stolen recovered during the operation.
The operation reportedly began on August 31, 2026, with the arrest of 28-year-old Effiong Archibong Sunday. Police said one motorcycle suspected to have been stolen was recovered from him. During preliminary investigation, he allegedly provided information linking other individuals to the suspected network, prompting officers to conduct a follow-up operation.
Acting on the information obtained, police operatives carried out another operation in the early hours of September 1. Four additional suspects were arrested and identified as Archibong Archibong Nsa, 36; Okon Eyo Nsa, 75; Essien Ukpong, 60; and Nsa Essien Eyo, 24. Police said searches of locations associated with the suspects led to the recovery of three tricycles and another motorcycle.
The command said the total recovery consisted of three tricycles and two motorcycles. However, authorities are still verifying the ownership and status of the vehicles to establish their original owners and determine whether they were stolen. Police also said further investigation would be carried out to identify other people who may be connected to the alleged network.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the officers involved and reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led and lawful operations against criminal networks. He urged motorcycle and tricycle owners to promptly report thefts and provide credible information to the police, while warning members of the public against taking the law into their own hands. The arrested individuals remain suspects and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court.
