Five suspects arrested as police recover stolen vehicles in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested five suspects and recovered five vehicles allegedly stolen from Akwa Ibom State and brought into Cross River for resale.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Satellite Town, Calabar, following intelligence about a suspected syndicate involved in the theft and distribution of motorcycles and tricycles.

The first suspect, identified as 28-year-old Effiong Archibong Sunday, was arrested at about 2pm on August 31, 2026.

One motorcycle was reportedly recovered from him at the time of his arrest.

According to the police, preliminary investigation led to information implicating the suspect, while another man, simply known as Elewe, was identified as allegedly being connected to the syndicate.

The police said Elewe was allegedly involved in stealing motorcycles and tricycles in Akwa Ibom and transferring them to a receiver identified as Efefiong in Cross River for onward sale.

Acting on the information, VCRU operatives conducted a follow-up operation at about 3am on September 1, leading to the arrest of four other 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 led to the recovery of three tricycles and one motorcycle, bringing the total number of recovered vehicles to five — three tricycles and two motorcycles.

The police spokesman, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said the command had commenced further investigation to establish the ownership and origin of the recovered vehicles and identify other persons who may be connected with the alleged offences.

He said the suspects remained innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, urged motorcycle and tricycle owners to promptly report thefts and provide useful information to the police, while warning members of the public against self-help or harassment of persons suspected of criminal activities.

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