Police nab 60 suspects after officer attack in Calabar market

The Cross River State Police have arrested 60 suspects after a police officer was allegedly attacked at Watt Market in Calabar, the state capital.

The arrests came after a video went viral on social media. The video claimed that market women held a police officer following a chase involving a suspected internet fraudster. During this chase, it was said that a trader’s goods were scattered.

But the police called the story misleading. They said it did not show the true events of what happened.

Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the Police Public Relations Officer in Cross River, shared this in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the incident took place on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, around 3:30 PM. A member of the public had alerted the police about the officer being attacked at Goldie near Etim Edem Lane in Calabar.

The patrol team from Atakpa Police Division quickly went to the scene. They rescued the officer and took him to the station for safety.

The officer told investigators that he was coming from his office. He was heading through Goldie by Bedwell Junction to meet his team. He tried to impound a motorcycle after its rider allegedly stepped on his leg while he was on duty on September 11.

The officer said, “When I subsequently attempted to apprehend the rider, I was confronted and assaulted by some roadside traders who allegedly aided the rider.”

He also claimed that his riot gun was interfered with during the attack. His uniform and shoes were torn. He reported that his Samsung X10 mobile phone was taken. He said pepper and egg were thrown on his face and body.

The officer said the motorcycle was forcibly taken from him, allowing the rider to escape. He added that he could recognize some of the people involved in the attack.

After hearing the report, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, instructed his team to gather intelligence. They were to identify and arrest anyone involved in the incident.

Following this order, patrol and surveillance teams at Atakpa Police Division were strengthened by the Violence Crime Response Unit on Wednesday.

This operation started around 10:45 AM and led to the arrest of 60 suspects in the area. “The suspects are currently undergoing screening and interrogation. Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other persons who may have participated in the incident,” the statement said.

The police urged the public to trust information from verified sources. They advised against jumping to conclusions based on what they called incomplete or misleading stories online.

They noted that normalcy had returned to Watt Market, and security monitoring would continue.

“The Police remain committed to protecting lives and property and will not tolerate attacks on police officers or any other person,” the statement added.

The command also thanked the member of the public who informed them about the incident. They said the quick notification helped their operatives respond and rescue the officer.

The police promised to keep the public updated on further developments as they arise.