Two Grandfathers Among Five Arrested Over Alleged Motorcycle Theft Syndicate in Calabar

Two Grandfathers Among Five Arrested Over Alleged Motorcycle Theft Syndicate in Calabar

Police smash interstate criminal network stealing motorcycles and tricycles from Akwa Ibom for resale in Cross River.

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested five suspects, including two grandfathers aged 75 and 60, in connection with an alleged interstate motorcycle and tricycle theft syndicate operating between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The suspects, identified as Okon Eyo Nsa, 75, and Essien Ukpong, 60, were allegedly part of a network that specialised in stealing motorcycles and tricycles from Akwa Ibom State and moving them to Cross River for sale. The younger members of the alleged gang were said to collect and drive the stolen vehicles to hidden locations, where prospective buyers were allegedly contacted, while the older suspects were responsible for linking up with buyers in Calabar and adjoining towns. The other suspects arrested include Archibong Archibong Nsa, 36; Nsa Essien Eyo, 24; and Effiong Archibong Sunday, 28. All five were apprehended by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Cross River State Police Command following an intelligence-led operation directed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the operation began with the arrest of 28-year-old Effiong Archibong Sunday on August 31, 2026, at about 2:00 pm. One motorcycle suspected to have been stolen was recovered from him during the arrest. During preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly made statements implicating himself and mentioned one “Elewe” as being connected with the suspected network. The suspect further alleged that Elewe was responsible for stealing motorcycles and tricycles in Akwa Ibom and transferring them to a man identified as “Efefiong” in Cross River for onward sale. Police stressed that these allegations remain subject to further investigation and judicial determination. Acting on the information obtained, VCRU operatives conducted a follow-up operation at about 3:00 am on September 1, leading to the arrest of four additional suspects allegedly connected with the suspected receiving and distribution network. Searches conducted at locations linked to the suspects, in accordance with applicable legal procedures, resulted in the recovery of three tricycles and one motorcycle suspected to have been stolen. Together with the motorcycle recovered during the initial arrest, the operation has so far yielded a total of five vehicles: three tricycles and two motorcycles. The command said the ownership and status of the recovered vehicles are currently being verified.

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The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the VCRU operatives for what he described as their prompt and professional response. He reaffirmed his commitment to lawful, intelligence-led operations and strategic surveillance aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates across the state. CP Ordue warned persons involved in the theft, receiving, concealment or sale of stolen vehicles that the command would pursue all credible leads and take appropriate legal action against anyone found culpable. “I want to warn anybody or persons involved in the theft, receiving, concealment or sale of stolen vehicles that the Command would pursue all credible leads and take appropriate legal action against persons found culpable,” he stated. The Commissioner also urged motorcycle and tricycle owners and operators to promptly report thefts and provide credible information to assist the police in recovering stolen property and dismantling criminal networks. He cautioned members of the public against resorting to self-help, conducting unlawful searches or harassing persons suspected of criminal activity.

The command said further investigation was ongoing to establish the ownership and provenance of the recovered vehicles, identify other persons connected with the alleged offences and determine the full extent of the suspected network. The police stressed that the suspects remain innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Two Grandfathers Among Five Arrested Over Alleged Motorcycle Theft Syndicate in Calabar