Asuquo Cletus
The Cross River State Police Command has prevented residents of Calabar from setting a suspected armed robber ablaze, following a swift intervention by operatives of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Mbora Street in the Abangassang area of Calabar, where an angry mob reportedly descended on a man alleged to have attempted to rob a woman.
It was gathered that the suspect was severely beaten by the mob and was about to be set on fire before police operatives arrived at the scene and dispersed the crowd.
Confirming the incident, on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Eitokpah, said the intervention led to the recovery of a firearm and the arrest of suspects..
โThe Cross River State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that operatives of the Commandโs Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in the early hours of Sunday, January 25, 2026, successfully intervened to prevent a mob action against a suspected armed robber in Calabar,โ Eitokpah said in a statement.
He added, โUpon receiving credible information, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, dispersed the mob and rescued the suspect, who had already sustained severe injuries.โ
According to the police spokesperson, a Beretta pistol loaded with three live 9mm rounds of ammunition was recovered during the operation, while three persons connected to the mob action were arrested and are currently in custody.
โThe injured suspect was rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical attention but was later pronounced dead by medical personnel,โ the statement added.
Eitokpah further disclosed that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the hospitalโs mortuary for preservation and autopsy, as investigation into the incident continues.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Rashid Afegbua, condemned mob action and warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.
โThe Commissioner reiterates that suspects apprehended by private individuals must always be handed over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law,โ the statement said.
The police urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information, assuring residents of the Commandโs commitment to the protection of lives and property across the state.
