The Cross River State Police Command has arrested six suspects in connection with an alleged ₦49.15 million burglary at Royaline Technologies and a series of filling-station robberies in Calabar.
The Command’s spokesperson, ASP Eitokpah Amaya stated this on Wednesday, saying operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested four members of an alleged six-man gang linked to the June 3 burglary at Royaline Technologies on Ettagbor Road.
The suspects are Hassan Ahmad, 38; Jabiru Ibrahim, 35; Usman Isa Garuba, 22; and Abdullalim Hassan, 23. Jabiru was traced to Kano State, where he was arrested on September 2 and brought to Calabar the following day.
Police said preliminary investigations showed that the gang allegedly stole 62 mobile phones, accessories, speakers, earphones and ₦529,000 cash, with the total value of the stolen items estimated at ₦49,150,715. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and recover the stolen property.
In a separate operation on September 9, VCRU operatives rescued two suspects, Samuel Udo Udo, 29, and Ezekiel Dominic, 22, from an angry mob near the University of Calabar after they were allegedly caught in connection with filling-station robberies. Police recovered 20 litres of petrol and a blue tricycle, while investigations continue to identify other alleged accomplices.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the VCRU for its intelligence gathering and interstate coordination, directing a thorough investigation and prosecution of anyone found culpable. He also condemned jungle justice and urged residents to hand suspected criminals over to the Police, stressing that the suspects remain innocent until proven guilty by a court.
