The Cross River State Police Command has arrested five suspects and recovered five vehicles allegedly stolen from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State and brought into Cross River for resale.
The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, Satellite Town, Calabar, following intelligence on a suspected syndicate involved in the theft and distribution of motorcycles and tricycles.
The first suspect, 28-year-old Effiong Archibong Sunday, was arrested around 2pm on August 31, 2026, with a motorcycle allegedly linked to the operation.
Police said preliminary investigation led operatives to other members of the suspected network, including a man identified as Elewe, who was allegedly involved in stealing motorcycles and tricycles in Akwa Ibom and transferring them to a receiver in Cross River for sale.
A follow-up operation conducted around 3am on September 1 led to the arrest of four additional suspects: Archibong Archibong Nsa, 36; Okon Eyo Nsa, 75; Essien Ukpong, 60; and Nsa Essien Eyo, 24.
Searches at locations linked to the suspects reportedly yielded three tricycles and another motorcycle, bringing the total number of recovered vehicles to five.
Police spokesman, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership and origin of the recovered vehicles and identify other persons connected to the alleged offences.
He stressed that the suspects remained innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, urged owners of motorcycles and tricycles to promptly report theft cases and provide useful information to the police, while cautioning residents against taking the law into their own hands.
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