The Cross River State Police Command has disclosed that its Anti-Kidnapping Unit foiled a mob action against a suspected armed robber in Calabar, leading to the recovery of a firearm and the arrest of three individuals.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday in the Abangasang area along Mbora Street, where the suspect was alleged to have attempted to rob a woman before being overpowered by residents.
In a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, it was revealed that the suspect was severely beaten by an angry mob and later died after being taken to hospital.
According to the statement, “The Cross River State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in the early hours of Sunday, 25th January 2026, successfully intervened to prevent a mob action against a suspected armed robber who was allegedly attempting to rob a lady in Calabar.
“The operation led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol with three live 9mm rounds of ammunition and the arrest of individuals involved in the mob attack.
“The suspect, who was beaten unconscious by an angry mob at Abangasang area, Mbora Street, Calabar, was rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) for medical attention. Unfortunately, the victim, yet to be identified, was pronounced dead at the hospital in the early hours of this morning.”
The police further confirmed that three suspects connected to the mob action are currently in custody and cooperating with investigators.
“The victim’s body has been evacuated and deposited at the UCTH mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continues,” the statement added.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, CP Rashid Afegbua, described the intervention as evidence of the command’s resolve to prevent crime, safeguard lives and uphold the rule of law.
He strongly condemned mob justice and appealed to residents to always hand over suspects to law enforcement authorities for proper investigation and prosecution.
The incident comes against the backdrop of sustained efforts by security agencies to curb armed robbery and vigilante-related violence in urban centres, with authorities repeatedly cautioning that extrajudicial actions often undermine justice and result in avoidable loss of life.
