By Courage Onwu
The Cross River State Government has accused the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force of hijack and extortion in the ongoing seizure of motorcycles in 8 milles area of Calabar Municipal LGA.
The government made the accusation during an interview on one of the nation televisions. The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on General Duties, Barr. Akiba Ekpenyong said the enforcement of motorcycles in restricted areas of the state capital was implemented through the Office of the Senior State Adviser on Security and the Operation Okwok initiative but the State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies in the state, hijacked the operation for their gains.
Recall that tension gripped the 8 Miles axis of Calabar on Tuesday, 7 July, 2026, as scores of commercial motorcyclists barricaded the Calabar-Ikom highway and adjoining roads in a peaceful protest over alleged seizure of motorcycles and harassment by security operatives, bringing traffic to a complete standstill.
The protest left hundreds of commuters stranded for hours while businesses within the area were disrupted. During the incident, it led to a clash between the angry protesters and the joint security operatives of Operations Okwok.
It was reported that it turned violent leaving one of the motorcyclists who was chased by the security dead and many others injured. The move to seize their motorcycles, of which many depend on for survival amidst harsh economic quagmires has been met with criticism.
With the controversies trailing it, the State Police Command distanced itself from the operation, disclosing that the state government had total control of the enforcement even though their men were borrowed to be part of the joint taskforce.
Following public uproar, it is reported that the taskforce responsible for enforcement has been suspended.
However, reacting to the allegation of infiltration and extortion, the Command through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Sunday Eitokpah, in a press release e-signed and issued on Saturday July 11, 2026, said “the Command wishes to state categorically that the directive restricting the operation of motorcycles in designated areas of the Calabar Metropolis is a policy of the Cross River State Government, implemented through the Office of the Senior State Adviser on Security and the Operation Okwok initiative. The policy neither originated from nor is enforced by the Cross River State Police Command,” ASP Sunday stated.
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The spokesman averred that “it is pertinent to state that, under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, personnel of the Cross River State Police Command, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, alongside Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and other operational commanders, promptly restored calm, safeguarded lives and property, and ensured the peaceful restoration of public order across the affected areas during the protest.”
He distanced that at no time has the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, directed any police officers or other personnel of the Command to enforce the motorcycle restriction or collect money from any motorcyclist under the guise of enforcing the policy.
“The Cross River State Police Command strongly condemns all forms of extortion, abuse of office, and unprofessional conduct. The Command remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities”, he warned.
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