Police detain, probe officers caught with firearms in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command says it is currently investigating two serving police officers who were caught with firearms and ammunition in the Biase Local Government Area.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Command’s Spokesman, Eitokpah Akata, confirmed the arrest of the policemen which was captured in a viral video that circulated on social media.

Available information indicated that the officers were intercepted on May 5, 2026, during a joint stop-and-search operation conducted by the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army.

The interception and eventual arrest occurred amid a communal crisis between the Ugep and Idomi communities, leading to public concern and viral social media videos alleging their involvement in the conflict.

Confirming the development, Akata said preliminary findings showed that the suspects are serving members of the police force attached to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the two suspects seen in the viral video are serving members of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and were found in possession of firearms and live ammunition at the time of their interception,” the statement added.

The command disclosed that the officers were immediately taken into custody and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar for further investigation.

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“The suspects were immediately taken into custody and subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Calabar, where a full-scale investigation is currently ongoing,” Akata stated.

The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, has reportedly ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

“The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the motive, intent, and full circumstances surrounding the suspects’ actions,” the statement said.

The command also assured residents that any individual found culpable would face the law regardless of status or affiliation.

“The Command assures members of the public that no individual found wanting, regardless of status or affiliation, will be shielded from the full weight of the law,” the police added.

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