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| Recovered Items |
By Oluchi Omai
Calabar, November 21, 2025 -The Cross River State Police Command has recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and illicit narcotics in a series of security operations conducted across the state between July 7 and November 21, 2025, according to Commissioner of Police Rashid B. Afegbua.
Speaking at a media parley held at the State Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill, Calabar, the Commissioner described the recoveries as evidence of the command’s intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks and improve community safety.
“We have taken decisive steps to deny criminals the space to operate in Cross River,” Afegbua said. “Through intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration, we have not only arrested offenders but also seized dangerous weapons and drugs that could have harmed our communities.”
Weapons and Ammunition Seized
During the four-month review period, the police recovered:
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1 Automatic English Pump Action gun
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6 Locally fabricated long guns
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5 Locally made short guns
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284 live cartridges
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2 machetes and knives
These items, Afegbua explained, were retrieved during targeted raids in identified hotspots known for violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and cult activities.
He added that the swift recovery of such arms helped to “avert potential bloodshed and restore a sense of safety, especially in rural and border communities.”
Illicit Drugs Confiscated
In addition to the arms recovery, the police seized a significant quantity of hard drugs, including 520 cards of Tramadol and several parcels of ‘loud’ and crystal substances (ice) suspected to be narcotics.
According to the CP, these substances were intercepted during ongoing operations aimed at curbing the rising use and distribution of illegal drugs across the state.
“Drug abuse and trafficking remain serious security threats,” Afegbua stated. “Every pill and parcel we recover is one less tool in the hands of those who destroy lives and fuel violent crime.”
He noted that the Command’s anti-narcotics efforts form part of a broader initiative to combat organized criminal behavior through intelligence-sharing and proactive policing.
Crime Statistics: 148 Cases in Four Months
From July to November 2025, the command recorded a total of 148 criminal cases, spanning murder, armed robbery, rape, theft, and unlawful possession of firearms.
A detailed breakdown includes:
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19 cases of murder
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11 armed robbery incidents
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62 cases of stealing
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19 rape cases
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7 firearm-related offences
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2 kidnapping cases
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3 cultism cases
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and other assorted crimes such as assault, vandalization, and attempted murder.
Afegbua disclosed that 147 cases were charged to court within the same period, with 25 cases conclusively prosecuted and 9 resulting in convictions, while 113 cases remain pending trial at various courts.
“These figures show both the scale of our challenge and our progress,” he said. “Each arrest, each prosecution, reflects our determination to bring offenders to justice.”
Call for Public Cooperation
The police chief urged residents to continue supporting the command by providing accurate and timely information, particularly as the state enters the festive season.
He commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, for their ongoing support, while reaffirming the command’s dedication to visible, intelligence-driven, and partnership-oriented policing.“We are preparing for the Carnival Calabar and other end-of-year events,” Afegbua noted. “Policing is a shared responsibility, and with public cooperation, we will ensure a peaceful and crime-free celebration.”
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