Two arrested over alleged filling station robberies in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command announced the arrest of two men, Samuel Udo Udo and Ezekiel Dominic, on charges of allegedly robbing filling stations in Calabar and other areas of the state.

According to the police, the suspects were apprehended by a group of citizens at a filling station near the University of Calabar on September 9, 2026. The individuals were reportedly in danger of being attacked by the mob before the arrival of the police.

During their preliminary investigation, the police found that the suspects had masqueraded as petrol buyers, threatened the station attendants, and fled with 20 liters of fuel and a blue tricycle. The recovered items suggest that the robbery involved filling stations.

Further investigation led to the arrest of one of the suspects in Kano State, and authorities are working to locate and apprehend any additional suspects involved in the operations. The Command praised the Vehicle Crime Response Unit operatives for their diligence and coordination across state lines.

The police commander, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the efforts of the operatives and emphasized that anyone found guilty will face prosecution. However, the Command condemned the mob's actions, warning residents to hand over suspected criminals to the police instead of taking matters into their own hands.

Ordue assured the public that the state would continue to conduct intelligence-led operations against crimes such as robbery, burglary, and other criminal activities. The police also urged the public to provide timely and accurate information to help in the ongoing investigations.