By Felix Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested six men in connection with separate robbery, burglary and alleged sexual assault cases in Calabar.
The command disclosed this in separate statements issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Sunday Akata, noting that four of the suspects were arrested over the alleged theft of property worth N49.15m from Royaline Technologies, while two others were apprehended over alleged filling station robberies.
In the Royaline Technologies case, Akata said operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit arrested Hassan Ahmad, 38; Jabiru Ibrahim, 35; Usman Isa Garuba, 22; and Abdullalim Hassan, 23, over the burglary of the company located on Ettagbor Road, Calabar, on June 3, 2026.
He said the suspects were allegedly members of a six-man gang that broke into the company and stole 62 mobile phones, accessories, speakers, earphones and N529,000 cash.
The stolen property was estimated at N49,150,715.
According to the police, Ibrahim was traced to Kano State, where he was arrested on September 2 before being brought to Calabar the following day.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the alleged gang and recover the stolen property.
In another case, two suspects, Samuel Udo Udo, 29, and Ezekiel Dominic, 22, were arrested on Wednesday over alleged robbery incidents at filling stations around the University of Calabar area.
Akata said the suspects were rescued from an angry mob after they were allegedly apprehended and were at risk of being lynched.
He said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects allegedly posed as customers purchasing fuel before threatening attendants and fleeing with the fuel.
A 20-litre container of petrol and a blue tricycle were recovered, while the police said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other persons allegedly linked to the activities.
Meanwhile, the command has commenced investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in Calabar.
According to the police, the incident was reported at the Ikpa Omin Police Division on September 9, following an allegation that the girl was forcibly taken to a residence in the 8 Miles area on September 4.
The command said the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two suspects and prevented from leaving the residence for about three days.
Akata said police operatives subsequently arrested one suspect, Felix Solomon, who was assisting investigators with relevant information, while efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly involved.
He added that the command had activated appropriate investigative and child-protection procedures to safeguard the survivor’s privacy, dignity and welfare.
The police spokesperson said the identity and other identifying details of the girl would not be disclosed to protect her from further trauma and stigmatisation.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Ordue, directed that the cases be thoroughly and professionally investigated, assuring that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Ordue also commended the VCRU operatives for their intelligence gathering, investigative diligence and interstate coordination in the robbery case.
The command condemned jungle justice and urged members of the public to hand suspected offenders over to the police or other lawful authorities.
The police further reminded the public that all suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
