Police Intercept Mob Action in Calabar, Recover Firearm as Suspect Dies

The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that its Anti-Kidnapping Unit intervened to stop a mob action against a suspected armed robber in Calabar, leading to the recovery of a firearm and the arrest of three suspects.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday in the Abangasang area of Mbora Street, where the suspect was alleged to have attempted to rob a woman. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, operatives responded swiftly after receiving information about the incident.

Eitokpah said the suspect had already been severely beaten by an angry mob before police officers arrived at the scene. During the operation, the police recovered a Beretta pistol loaded with three live 9mm rounds of ammunition. Three individuals allegedly involved in the mob action were also arrested.

The statement disclosed that the suspect, who is yet to be identified, was found unconscious and rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical treatment. However, he was later pronounced dead in the early hours of Sunday.

“The victim’s body has been evacuated and deposited at the UCTH mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continues,” the statement added.

The command confirmed that the three arrested suspects are currently in police custody and are cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to establish the full details of the incident, including the events leading to the mob attack.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, CP Rashid Afegbua, described the intervention as evidence of the command’s commitment to crime prevention, protection of lives and strict adherence to the rule of law. He strongly condemned mob justice, warning that extrajudicial actions undermine justice and often result in avoidable loss of life.

Afegbua urged members of the public to desist from taking the law into their hands and instead hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns over mob violence in urban areas, even as security agencies intensify efforts to combat armed robbery and other violent crimes.