By Oluchi Omai, Calabar Correspondent
14 October 2025 | Cross River State
CALABAR — In a swift pre-dawn intervention, officers from the Uwanse Division of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested a 23-year-old suspect and recovered a locally made pistol with live ammunition during what authorities describe as a foiled criminal operation in the heart of Calabar.
The incident unfolded at approximately 2:36 a.m. on Monday, 14 October 2025, along Nelson Mandela Street in Calabar South. According to police sources, a surveillance team on routine patrol noticed a motorcycle carrying two pillion passengers behaving suspiciously—circling the same stretch of road multiple times in the quiet hours before dawn.
When officers moved in to challenge the riders, one suspect immediately fled on foot, abandoning the bike. The second rider sped off, leaving behind Nsikak Johnson, a 23-year-old resident of Mary Slessor Road, Calabar, who was found in possession of a crude firearm, two live cartridges, and a face mask.
Initially, Johnson told investigators the group’s intention was not armed robbery but the distribution of illicit drugs. However, police remain cautious, noting that the presence of a functional homemade pistol and live rounds raises serious concerns about potential escalation. Johnson is currently assisting officers with ongoing investigations.
The arrest comes as part of the Cross River State Police Command’s intensified “visibility patrol” strategy, launched earlier this year to clamp down on street-level crime in known hotspots across Calabar.
Commissioner of Police Rashid B. Afeghua, PSC, MNIPS, praised the vigilance of the Uwanse Division team, calling their actions “a textbook example of proactive policing.”
“Deploying stop-and-check units and maintaining a visible presence in flashpoints is already yielding results,” CP Afeghua said. “There is no space in Calabar for criminals to operate—day or night.”
The recovered weapon and ammunition have been sent for forensic analysis, while efforts to apprehend the two fleeing suspects remain ongoing.
This latest operation underscores a broader shift in local law enforcement tactics—moving from reactive responses to intelligence-led, preventative patrols aimed at disrupting crime before it occurs.
Residents in Calabar South expressed relief at the quick response. “It’s reassuring to know the police are out there, especially at night,” said one shop owner who requested anonymity. “We’ve been worried about strange movements lately.”
The Cross River State Police Command has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity through official channels.
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