Cross River Police Apprehend Suspected Car Snatcher and Cultist in Separate Incidents
The Cross River State Police Command has demonstrated its rapid response capabilities with the arrest of two suspects involved in separate criminal activities over the weekend. In a significant breakthrough, officers apprehended a 30-year-old man allegedly involved in a violent carjacking operation, while simultaneously disrupting cult-related activities in another part of the state.
Daring Daylight Carjacking Meets Swift Police Response
According to police reports, Mr. Akaniyene Sunday Edem, a native of Nkwot Nsit Village in Akwa Ibom State’s Nsit Ibiom Local Government Area, was arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a Toyota Highlander SUV. The incident occurred on September 12, 2025, at approximately 4:00 PM in the upscale neighborhood of Spring Road in Calabar.
The victim, Mrs. Wofi Eshiet Joshua of 16A Azikima Street, was reportedly accosted by armed gang members who dispossessed her of the vehicle at gunpoint. The brazen daylight operation immediately triggered a coordinated police response that would ultimately lead to the recovery of the vehicle and the arrest of one suspect.
Coordinated Police Operation Thwarts Getaway
Police Public Relations Officer Irene Ugbo detailed the sequence of events in an official statement released on Sunday. “A distress telephone call received by the Command about the incident caused the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Afegbua, to order a lockdown,” Ugbo explained.
The police strategy proved effective as officers from the 11 PMF Calabar unit stationed along Odukpani Road spotted the suspected stolen Jeep heading toward Akwa Ibom State. When the occupants refused to stop for a routine check, officers initiated a high-speed pursuit along the busy Odukpani-Calabar-Itu federal highway.
“They were given a hot chase which made them abandon the jeep with registration number Kaduna – DKA-759-KY,” Ugbo stated. “The suspects escaped into the nearby bush where one of them was arrested.”
The successful interception prevented the criminal group from potentially crossing state lines with the stolen vehicle, a common tactic used by car theft syndicates to evade detection and recovery efforts.
Parallel Operation Nets Suspected Cultist
In a separate but equally significant operation, police in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of involvement in cult activities. The arrest occurred on September 13, 2025, at approximately 5:40 PM on Ijima Street.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Godswill Okoi, was apprehended by the Divisional Police Officer with assistance from community members. Police believe Okoi is associated with the Vikings Confraternity, one of several secret cult groups that have been linked to violence and criminal enterprises in various Nigerian states.
Dangerous Arsenal Recovered
The operation yielded concerning findings, with officers recovering multiple potentially dangerous items from the suspect. The cache included a locally fabricated pistol, two BB cartridges, various charms, one black bag, and N7,000 in cash.
The recovery of a locally manufactured firearm highlights ongoing concerns about the proliferation of illicit weapons in the region, while the presence of charms suggests the suspect may have believed in supernatural protection for his alleged criminal activities.
Police Leadership Commends Officers, Calls for Public Cooperation
Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid Bello Afegbua, praised the prompt response of his officers in both incidents. The commendation comes amid ongoing efforts to improve police effectiveness and community relations throughout the state.
CP Afegbua also emphasized the critical role that public cooperation plays in effective policing. He charged citizens with the responsibility of providing law enforcement with useful information in the interest of public safety and community security.
This appeal for community participation reflects a growing recognition among law enforcement agencies that successful crime prevention requires partnership between police and the communities they serve. The quick response to the carjacking incident, triggered by a citizen’s distress call, exemplifies how this collaboration can yield positive results.
Broader Implications for Regional Security
These arrests come at a time when Nigerian security forces are intensifying efforts to combat various forms of criminality across the country. Vehicle theft, particularly of high-value SUVs like the Toyota Highlander, represents a significant challenge for law enforcement due to the sophisticated networks often involved in these crimes.
Similarly, cult-related activities continue to pose security concerns in many Nigerian communities, with university towns and urban centers particularly affected. The Cross River Police Command’s simultaneous success in addressing both organized theft and cultism demonstrates a multi-front approach to public safety challenges.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to pursue leads that might connect these arrests to broader criminal networks operating within and beyond Cross River State. The recovery of the stolen vehicle intact represents not only a victory for the victim but also potentially valuable intelligence for disrupting larger criminal operations.
Both suspects remain in police custody as preparations for legal proceedings advance. The Cross River State Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to thorough investigations and professional handling of both cases.
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