POLICE ARREST FIVE OVER ALLEGED MOTORCYCLE, TRICYCLE THEFT IN CROSS RIVER

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a motorcycle and tricycle theft syndicate and recovered five vehicles in an intelligence-led operation in Calabar.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested the suspects following credible intelligence.

The operation began on August 31 with the arrest of 28-year-old Effiong Archibong Sunday, from whom police recovered a suspected stolen motorcycle.

Police said preliminary investigations led the suspect to mention an individual identified as “Elewe,” who allegedly stole motorcycles and tricycles in Akwa Ibom State and transferred them to another person in Cross River for onward sale.

Acting on the information, VCRU operatives carried out a follow-up operation around 3 am on September 1 and arrested four other suspects allegedly linked to the receiving and distribution network.

The suspects were identified as Archibong Archibong Nsa, 36; Okon Eyo Nsa, 75; Essien Ukpong, 60; and Nsa Essien Eyo, 24.

A search of locations linked to the suspects led to the recovery of three tricycles and one motorcycle, bringing the total recovered vehicles to five, three tricycles and two motorcycles.

The police said investigations were ongoing to verify ownership of the recovered vehicles, identify other persons connected to the alleged offences and determine the full extent of the suspected network.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commended the operatives and warned those involved in stealing, receiving or selling stolen vehicles that the command would pursue all credible leads and take appropriate legal action.

Ordue urged motorcycle and tricycle owners to promptly report thefts and provide useful information to the police, while cautioning members of the public against unlawful searches, harassment or taking the law into their own hands.