Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, Rashid B. Afegbua, praised their professionalism, resilience, and dedication to duty.
By TheInvestigator
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a burglary and stealing syndicate allegedly responsible for a series of break-ins and thefts across Calabar Metropolis.
The suspects, identified as Effiong Ene, 27; Hope Linus, 18; Patrick Etim, 26; and Maurice Asuquo, 27, were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Uwanse Division.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the operation commenced on June 4, 2026, when police operatives arrested Effiong Ene, described as a notorious burglar who had allegedly been terrorizing residents of Calabar and its environs.
The statement revealed that following his arrest, Ene led investigators to the hideouts of other members of the syndicate, leading to the arrest of the remaining suspects and the recovery of a large cache of suspected stolen items.
Among the recovered exhibits were several household appliances and electronic devices, including five television sets, two laptops, six decoders, a projector, a refrigerator, microwave oven, toaster machine, standing fans, stabilizers, solar modulators, gas cylinders, POS machines, and numerous other valuables.
Police also recovered burglary tools allegedly used by the suspects, including an iron bar, hammer, pliers, spanner, scissors, a knife, eleven damaged padlocks, a carton of master keys, and a carton of nails.
The suspects are currently being held at the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) base, while investigations continue to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate who remain at large.
The Command said efforts are also underway to trace the rightful owners of the recovered property.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, Rashid B. Afegbua, praised their professionalism, resilience, and dedication to duty.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to tackle crime and maintain public safety in Cross River State.
