By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 25-year-old Emmanuel Ekpo following a robbery incident at a guest house in Calabar South, dispelling earlier social media reports that sensationalised the case as an attack on female occupants.
According to a statement issued on Saturday, 4th October 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo-Obase, the incident occurred on 3rd October at about 10:19 AM at a guest house situated within the Ambo/Mbukpa axis of Calabar South Local Government Area.
Preliminary investigation revealed that two armed men scaled the fence of the guest house, gained unlawful entry, and forcefully broke into a room occupied by a man and his wife. The robbers dispossessed the couple of two mobile phones and a power bank before fleeing the scene.
Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Efut Division led operatives to the guest house, where the entire premises were thoroughly ransacked in search of suspects and evidence.
During the operation, Emmanuel Ekpo, a resident of No. 16 Okurabor Street, 8 Miles, Calabar, was found loitering within the premises without any clear explanation of his purpose at the scene. When questioned by police officers, Ekpo failed to provide a satisfactory account of his presence and immediately took to his heels in an attempt to escape. He was pursued and apprehended by the police.
A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of two wraps of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp. The Command disclosed that Ekpo is currently in custody and is assisting the police with ongoing investigations aimed at identifying and apprehending the other armed suspects involved in the robbery.
The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid Afegbua, urged members of the public to disregard what he described as the “sensationalised social media report” which falsely claimed that gunmen attacked female occupants in the guest house.
He cautioned social media handlers to verify information from official police crime report channels before publication to avoid misleading the public and creating unnecessary panic. Afegbua stressed that unverified and exaggerated reports could send the wrong signal to tourists and investors, noting that Cross River State remains one of the most peaceful and safest states in the country.
The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the Police Command and other security agencies to maintaining law and order, assuring residents that efforts are ongoing to sustain the prevailing peace and security across the state.
