The Cross River State Police Command has recorded a significant operational breakthrough, dismantling a suspected burglary syndicate in Calabar and separately recovering an illegally fabricated firearm in Ikom Local Government Area — both in a single day's work.
In the first operation, detectives from the Uwanse Division arrested four suspected members of a burglary and stealing gang believed to be behind a string of house and business break-ins across the Calabar metropolis. The suspects — Effiong Ene, 27; Hope Linus, 18; Patrick Etim, 26; and Maurice Asuquo, 27 — were picked up on June 4 following sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance that first led officers to Effiong Ene, described as a notorious figure in the local burglary underworld.
Ene subsequently led investigators to the hideouts of his accomplices, where a substantial haul of suspected stolen goods was recovered. The exhibits, which filled several racks at the police facility, included plasma televisions, laptops, decoders, refrigerators, household appliances, gas cylinders, solar equipment, POS machines, clothing items, and an assortment of tools commonly used in forced-entry operations.
Sources within the Command linked the suspects to a criminal group known among Calabar residents as the "White Cap Gang" — a network allegedly responsible for coordinated break-ins across Calabar South and surrounding communities. Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to establish the full scope of the gang's activities and track down fleeing members. Efforts have also commenced to identify the rightful owners of the recovered property and facilitate its return.
In a separate but equally significant development on the same day, operatives of the Ikom Division apprehended one Asu Ebolom, 36, during a routine patrol and surveillance exercise at Atimaka Trailer Park in Ikom. A search of the suspect yielded a locally fabricated pistol concealed on his person. He was immediately taken into custody as investigators worked to determine the weapon's origin and any possible connection to criminal activity in the area.
Commending his officers, the Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, praised the professionalism and dedication displayed in both operations, reaffirming the Command's commitment to intelligence-led policing across the state.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, urged residents to remain alert and continue channelling credible tips to security agencies, describing public cooperation as indispensable to the Command's ongoing campaign against organised crime.
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