The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two serving police officers who were intercepted with firearms and ammunition during the ongoing communal crisis between the Ugep and Idomi communities.
The command made the clarification following a viral video on social media linking the officers to the conflict in the area.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Eitokpah Akata, said the suspects were arrested during a joint stop-and-search operation carried out by police officers and personnel of the Nigerian Army in Biase Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on May 5, 2026, when the two suspects, who were riding on a motorcycle, were stopped during the security operation.
“The Command wishes to clarify that the incident occurred on 5th May 2026, when two suspects riding on a motorcycle were intercepted during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted jointly by men of the Nigeria Police Force and personnel of the Nigerian Army in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State,” the statement read.
The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are serving police officers attached to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the two suspects seen in the viral video are serving members of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and were found in possession of firearms and live ammunition at the time of their interception,” the statement added.
The command disclosed that the officers were immediately taken into custody and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar for further investigation.
“The suspects were immediately taken into custody and subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Calabar, where a full-scale investigation is currently ongoing,” Akata stated.
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The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, CP Rashid Afegbua, has reportedly ordered a thorough investigation into the matter to determine the motive behind the officers’ actions.
“The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the motive, intent, and full circumstances surrounding the suspects’ actions,” the statement said.
The police command also assured residents that anyone found guilty would face the law, regardless of their position or affiliation.
“The Command assures members of the public that no individual found wanting, regardless of status or affiliation, will be shielded from the full weight of the law,” the statement added.
