Police Launch Crime Unit After Arrest Of Armed Officers In Cross River

CALABAR, CROSS RIVER – Barely 48 hours after a viral video sparked outrage over the alleged arrest of two serving police officers found with firearms and live ammunition in the troubled Ugep–Idomi axis of Cross River State, the Cross River State Police Command has announced both a full-scale investigation into the incident and the creation of a new Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) aimed at combating violent crimes and emerging security threats across the state.

The twin developments have intensified public attention on the security situation in Cross River, particularly amid lingering communal tensions in parts of the state and growing concerns over the role of armed actors in local conflicts.

In a press statement issued on May 6, the Police Command confirmed that the incident captured in the viral video occurred on May 5 during a joint stop-and-search operation conducted by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army in Biase Local Government Area.

According to the statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, preliminary investigations revealed that the two suspects intercepted on a motorcycle were serving members of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and were allegedly found in possession of firearms and live ammunition.

The Command said the suspects were immediately taken into custody and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar, for further investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the motive, intent, and full circumstances surrounding the suspects’ actions,” the release stated.

The police further assured residents that no individual found culpable would be protected, regardless of rank or affiliation.

The incident has generated widespread reactions on social media and within affected communities, especially as the Ugep–Idomi communal crisis continues to raise fears over insecurity, reprisal attacks, and the circulation of arms in the area.

Amid the controversy, the Police Command on May 8 unveiled a newly established Violent Crime Response Unit in what authorities described as part of ongoing policing reforms initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The Command appointed CSP Titus Udofia as Commander of the Unit, describing him as a seasoned officer with extensive operational and tactical policing experience.

Police authorities said the VCRU would focus on intelligence-led policing, rapid tactical intervention, and coordinated response to violent crimes and emerging security threats across Cross River State.

Udofia, who enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 2005, has previously served in several strategic capacities, including Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Cross River State, Commander of the Quick Response Squad in Akwa Ibom, and Unit Commander of the 32 Police Mobile Force in Abakaliki.

The Commissioner of Police charged the new unit to operate with professionalism, discipline, integrity, and respect for human rights.

Security analysts and residents, however, say the timing of both developments has placed renewed focus on the credibility of security institutions and the urgent need for transparency in the ongoing investigation involving the arrested officers.

Questions have continued to emerge over why the officers were in the crisis-prone area, the source and legality of the recovered weapons, and whether their presence was linked to official deployment or private activity.

Observers note that while the establishment of the VCRU signals an attempt by the Police Command to strengthen security architecture and public confidence, the outcome of the ongoing investigation may significantly shape public perception of accountability within the force.

For many residents in affected communities, the expectation remains that the investigation will not only clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest but also address broader concerns about security, neutrality, and law enforcement conduct in communal conflict zones across the state.