The Cross River State Police Command has stepped up its security operations ahead of this year’s Carnival Calabar, arresting two armed suspects in separate incidents across the state.
Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, disclosed the arrests in statements issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, noting that the operations formed part of broader efforts to curb criminal activities during the festive period.
According to the release, operatives on December 9 intercepted one Michael Michael Edoh along Jonathan Bypass by the Garment Factory in Calabar.
Acting on suspicion, the officers conducted a search on him and recovered a locally fabricated pistol along with three live cartridges.
The suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the firearm and confessed to belonging to the Viking cult group.
Afegbua said the intensified deployment of visible patrols and stop-and-search teams at designated flashpoints had been instrumental in suppressing crime in Calabar and neighbouring communities.
He assured residents of a peaceful and hitch-free carnival season.
In a related development, the Command’s Anti-Cult Squad on December 10 arrested a 45-year-old man, Ofem Ibiang Owari, of Igbofia Camp, along the Ikom–Calabar Highway.
Officers said the suspect was spotted hiding behind a tree around 2:11am and was apprehended after a short chase.
Recovered from him were an automatic pump-action gun, an expended cartridge, a live cartridge and a cutlass.
Though Owari claimed he worked as a security guard, he could not provide a satisfactory explanation for his presence on the highway with the weapon. He is presently undergoing interrogation.
Afegbua reiterated the Command’s determination to ensure criminal elements are denied any opportunity to operate before, during and after the carnival festivities.