Operatives of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested three persons in Calabar in connection with the death of a suspected armed robber who was mobbed after allegedly attempting to rob a woman.
The command said the incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday at Abangasang area of Mbora Street, where the suspect reportedly accosted a woman before residents descended on him.
Spokesperson of the command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the suspect was beaten unconscious by an angry mob and rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where he was pronounced dead.
In a statement, the command said its Anti-Kidnapping Unit intervened in the early hours of Sunday January 25, 2026, to prevent the mob action.
“The Cross River State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in the early hours of Sunday January 25, 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 command added that three suspects are currently in custody and assisting with investigations.
“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,” it said.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, described the operation as a demonstration of the command’s commitment to crime prevention, protection of lives and adherence to the rule of law.
Afegbua condemned mob action and urged members of the public to always hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and prosecution.
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