C’River Police arrest two suspects with weapons, reassure residents of safe carnival

The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in separate operations as part of intensified crime-prevention efforts ahead of the state’s annual Carnival festivities.

In two separates releases signed by Irene Ugbo, state PPRO, Afegbua said on December 9, operatives apprehended one Michael Michael Edoh along Jonathan Bypass by the Garment Factory in Calabar.

He said his men who acted on suspicion, conducted a search and recovered a locally made pistol and three live cartridges from Edoh.

The suspect, Edoh, admitted ownership of the weapon and confessed to being a member of the Viking cult group.

Afegbua said increased deployment of visible patrols and stop-and-search teams at identified flashpoints has continued to help keep crime rates low in Calabar and other towns

He assured residents of a peaceful and secure carnival period.

He also confirmed that on December 10, the Anti-Cult Squad arrested 45 year old Ofem Ibiang Owari, of Igbofia Camp, along the Ikom–Calabar Highway.

Owari, who was allegedly hiding behind a tree at about 2:11am, was caught after a brief chase.

The Police operatives recovered an automatic pump-action gun, an expended cartridge, a live cartridge and a cutlass.

Although the suspect claimed to be a company security guard, he was unable to explain his presence on the highway with the weapon. He is currently undergoing interrogation.

Afegbua reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to denying criminal elements any space to operate before, during and after the festivities.