By Kelvin Ololo
In a decisive move against the spread of illegal weapons, the Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 60-year-old suspected gun runner and recovered locally fabricated firearms in Odukpani Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Okon William, was apprehended on April 19, 2026, following a targeted intelligence-led operation by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer ASP Sunday Eitokpah said the operation was triggered by credible intelligence pointing to ongoing arms trafficking activities within the Ubanbat Community.
Acting swiftly, police operatives mobilized to the area and intercepted the suspect at about 5:00 p.m. A search conducted on him led to the recovery of two locally fabricated long guns, believed to be part of a wider illegal arms distribution network.
Preliminary investigations by the Police indicate that the suspect allegedly engaged in covert arms trafficking operations, employing methods designed to evade law enforcement detection.
READ: Effort To Rescue Kidnapped JAMB Candidates Along Calabar-Oron Waterways In Force – Police
Authorities say he has since provided useful information aiding ongoing efforts to dismantle a broader network involved in the fabrication and circulation of illegal firearms.
The suspect remains in custody and is expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, while security agencies intensify efforts to track down other members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Rashid B. Afegbua, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to curbing violent crime and ensuring the safety of residents across the state. He called on the public to support ongoing operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
ASP Sunday who disclosed the arrest in a statement, said further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.
The latest breakthrough highlights ongoing security efforts to stem the proliferation of illegal arms, widely regarded as a major driver of violent crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal clashes in the region.
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