Police arrest suspected armed robber in Cross River, recover gun

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old suspected member of a local vigilante group, Ushie Joseph, over alleged armed robbery and the shooting of one Amachi Victor in Etung Local Government Area of the state.

The police said the incident was reported at about 1:45am on Thursday, September 17, 2026, following an alleged attack on the victim at about 11pm on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Effraya Village in Etung.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, and made available to journalists on Saturday in Calabar, the command said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly attacked and shot the victim with a locally fabricated pistol.

The police spokesman said the victim was immediately rushed to a hospital in Ikom, where he is currently receiving treatment.

The statement partly read, “The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a local vigilante group, Ushie Joseph ‘m’, 36 years, in connection with an alleged armed robbery and shooting incident involving one Amachi Victor, 36, of Effraya Village, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State.

“The incident was reported at about 1:45am on 17 September 2026, following an alleged attack on the victim at about 11pm on 16 September 2026.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect allegedly attacked and shot the victim with a locally fabricated pistol during the incident.”

The police said detectives had visited the scene of the incident and the hospital as part of the ongoing investigation.

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The victim also alleged that he was robbed of $5,000 during the incident.

“The victim further alleged that he was robbed of the sum of Five Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,000) during the incident. The allegation remains subject to investigation and will be established through evidence and due legal process,” Eitokpah said.

He said following intelligence-led efforts, operatives tracked the suspect to his hideout and arrested him, adding that a locally fabricated pistol suspected to have been used in the incident was recovered and secured as an exhibit.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, directed the investigating team to conduct a thorough and professional investigation, ensure that all relevant evidence was properly documented and subject the suspect to due process in accordance with the law.

The command assured members of the public that further developments would be communicated as the investigation progresses.