Police arrest 60 suspects over officer assault at Cross River market

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 60 suspects following an alleged assault on a police officer at Watt Market in Calabar, the state capital. The arrests came after a viral video on social media claimed market women chased a police officer during a pursuit involving a suspect in internet fraud, resulting in scattered goods.

However, the command disputed the video's narrative, stating it inaccurately portrayed the incident. The incident occurred on September 15, 2026, at around 3:30pm after a concerned citizen alerted the police to an officer being attacked near Goldie and Etim Edem Lane in Calabar. A patrol team from Atakpa Police Division was swiftly dispatched to the scene, where the officer was rescued and taken to the station.

The officer recounted that he was en route to a team meeting when he attempted to impound a motorcycle whose rider had allegedly stepped on his leg during a September 11 duty. He claimed that traders aided the rider and that his riot gun, uniform, shoes, and Samsung X10 phone were damaged or stolen during the assault. The police commissioner then ordered an urgent intelligence gathering and an arrest operation, which led to the capture of the 60 suspects.

The suspects are being screened and interrogated, and efforts continue to identify other participants. The police urged the public to rely on verified information and avoid drawing conclusions from incomplete or misleading online narratives.