By Kelvin Ololo
The Cross River State Police Command has announced a scheduled shooting range exercise by the Nigeria Police Force in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, cautioning residents against panic and unnecessary movement around the designated area.
According to a press release issued on Monday 26 January 2026 and signed by Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the live-fire exercise will take place on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, at Asabanka, Anyanganse Community, beginning at 8:00 a.m.
According to the release, the exercise is part of routine police operations aimed at retraining personnel and assessing the functionality of service arms and other operational equipment.
Police authorities said residents may notice an increased security presence and hear gunshots during the exercise, stressing that these activities are strictly controlled and confined to the shooting range.
“The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to retrain police personnel and inspect service arms and other operational equipment, in line with professional policing standards,” the statement said.
The Command, however, warned farmers, residents, and passersby to stay away from the shooting range and surrounding areas for the duration of the drill, citing safety concerns. It explained that the restriction is intended to prevent accidental exposure to stray bullets and to reduce the risk of psychological distress that could arise from the sound of gunfire.
While assuring the public that the exercise poses no threat beyond the designated zone, the police appealed for calm, patience, and cooperation from the host communities and the general public.
The Police Command in the release did not indicate how long the exercise would last but maintained that normalcy would be restored immediately after its conclusion.