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Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, CP Rashid Bello Afegbua, has confirmed the arrest of a car snatcher, one Mr Akaniyene Sunday Edem, aged 30, and recovery of a Toyota Highlander from him.
In a statement signed on his behalf by Irene Ugbo, state PPRO, Afegbua said the police also picked up one Godswill Okoi, aged 21, of Ijima Street in Ugep, suspected to be the leader of a cult group, which committed criminal acts.
The statement said the vehicle was snatched in Calabar at gun point and was recovered almost immediately when the distress call came in.
“The vehicle was dispossessed from the owner, one Mrs.Wofi Eshiet Joshua of 16A Azikima street Spring road, Calabar at about 1607hrs of 12th September, 2025.
“A distress telephone call received by the Command about the incident which caused the Commissioner of Police to order a lockdown.”
Ugbo said the lockdown paid off as men from 11 Police Mobile Force Calabar flagged down the suspected stolen jeep on its way out of town.
“The suspects refused to stop but were given a hot chase which made them to abandon the jeep with Reg.no. Kaduna-DKA-759-KY and escaped into the nearby bush where one Akaniyene Sunday Edem ‘M’ aged 30 of Nkwot Nsit village of Nsit Ibiom LGA of Akwa-Ibom state was later arrested while others escaped.”
Similarly, the police with the assistance of community members, arrested Okoi, suspected to be a member of Vikings Confraternity.
The police recovered one locally fabricated pistol, two BB cartridges, criminal charms, one black bag and a cash amount of N7000 from him.
The commissioner has lauded members of the public and encouraged them to always give credible information to the police in order to make the state a more peaceful abode for both indigenes and tourists who often see Calabar as home away from home.
Police nab car snatcher, suspected cult leader in Cross River
