CROSS RIVER POLICE BUST SUSPECTED VEHICLE THEFT RING, RECOVER FIVE MOTORCYCLES AND TRICYCLES

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested five people suspected of belonging to a syndicate involved in the theft and resale of motorcycles and tricycles, following an intelligence-driven operation in Calabar, the state capital.

The arrests were carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit attached to Satellite Town, Calabar, after the command received information about an alleged network involved in stealing motorcycles and tricycles from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State and moving them into Cross River for onward distribution and sale. The police also recovered five vehicles suspected to have been stolen.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the operation began on August 31, 2026, when operatives arrested 28-year-old Effiong Archibong Sunday at about 2pm. A motorcycle suspected to have been stolen was reportedly recovered from him during the arrest.

The command said preliminary questioning of the suspect allegedly produced information about other individuals believed to be connected with the suspected theft network. One person identified as “Elewe” was reportedly mentioned in connection with the alleged theft of motorcycles and tricycles in Akwa Ibom State, while another person known as “Efefiong” was allegedly responsible for receiving the stolen vehicles in Cross River for onward sale.

The police stressed that the allegations made during the investigation remain subject to further investigation and judicial determination. Acting on the information obtained, VCRU operatives reportedly carried out a follow-up operation at about 3am on September 1, leading to the arrest of four additional suspects allegedly connected to the receiving and distribution aspect of the operation.

The additional suspects were identified by the command as 36-year-old Archibong Archibong Nsa, 75-year-old Okon Eyo Nsa, 60-year-old Essien Ukpong and 24-year-old Nsa Essien Eyo.

During searches conducted at locations linked to the suspects, police officers reportedly discovered three tricycles and another motorcycle believed to have been stolen. When the motorcycle recovered during the initial arrest was added to the subsequent recoveries, the command said the total number of vehicles recovered had risen to five, comprising three tricycles and two motorcycles.

The police said the ownership and status of all five recovered vehicles were still being verified. Investigators are also expected to establish how the vehicles were allegedly obtained, transported between states and subsequently placed in the possession of suspected receivers or prospective buyers.

The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the VCRU personnel for what he described as a prompt and professional response to the intelligence received. He reaffirmed the command’s determination to use intelligence-led policing to identify and dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.

Ordue also warned individuals involved in the theft, concealment, receipt or sale of stolen motorcycles and tricycles that the police would continue to pursue credible leads until all those found culpable were brought before the appropriate authorities.

The commissioner appealed to motorcycle and tricycle owners and operators to report cases of theft promptly and provide useful information that could assist investigators in recovering stolen property. He equally advised members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, carrying out unlawful searches or harassing people merely suspected of criminal activity.

The Cross River Police Command said investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the suspected syndicate, verify the ownership of the recovered vehicles and identify any other individuals who may have participated in the alleged theft and distribution network.