By Joy Okpa
The Cross River State Police Command says they were in the know the peaceful protest turned violent between the state joint security operative – Operation Okwok and angry motorcyclists on Tuesday July 7, 2026, in Calabar.
Angry commercial motorcyclists had staged a peaceful protest over alleged seizures of their motorcycles by agents of the state government- some, their only means of livelihood amid the bitting economy.
The Command Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah in a press statement issued in Calabar, explained that following the enforcement of the Cross River State Government’s ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles (Okada) in Calabar Metropolis, personnel of Operation Okwok, attached to Government House, impounded some motorcycles during the operation around the 8 Miles axis.
The clash led to temporary blockage of the Calabar–Ikom Highway, disrupting the free flow of vehicular traffic. The incident also witnessed destruction of properties and many sustaining injuries.
ASP Sunday said the Command upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, directed the immediate deployment of operational teams, personnel of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Tactical Commanders, and Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel to the scene.
He noted that the protesters were professionally engaged, the highway cleared, normalcy restored, and no casualty was recorded.
The spokesman disclaimed that the protest was not connected with the ongoing nationwide enforcement against vehicles operating without registration plates or with covered, altered, defaced, unauthorized dealer, or obscured registration plates, as alleged. “Rather, the incident arose solely from the enforcement of the Cross River State Government’s ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles (Okada) in Calabar Metropolis.”
He expressed that the Command commends the restraint exhibited by the protesters and security personnel, which ensured the peaceful resolution of the incident.
“Members of the public are encouraged to remain law-abiding and channel their grievances through lawful means, as the obstruction of public highways endangers public safety and infringes on the rights of other road users,” said.
He assured: “Normalcy has been restored, and the situation remains under close monitoring. The Cross River State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining law and order across the State.”
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