C’River Police Arrest Two Over ‘One Chance’ Attack On Nursing Student

CALABAR – Police authorities in Cross River State have arrested two suspected “one chance” robbers following a coordinated operation in Calabar metropolis.

The suspects, identified as Leo Celestine and Ndiana-Abasi William, allegedly carried out a robbery targeting unsuspecting commuters within the city.

The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the arrests in a press release issued on April 16, 2026, detailing operational breakthroughs.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 0900 hours when the suspects boarded a commercial minibus posing as regular passengers.

Police said the suspects attacked a 20-year-old female student of the School of Nursing, Calabar, during the early morning commute.

The assailants reportedly dispossessed the victim of her Android phone and personal belongings before forcefully ejecting her from the moving vehicle.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that the victim sustained minor injuries after being pushed out, prompting immediate reactions from nearby commuters and passersby.

The minibus driver, who witnessed the attack, quickly halted the vehicle and raised an alarm to alert residents and security operatives nearby.

In a swift response, the driver reportedly pursued the fleeing suspects towards the Bogobiri axis, maintaining visual contact while calling for assistance.

Police operatives on patrol within the area responded promptly to the distress call and joined efforts to track the suspects.

The combined pursuit by civilians and police operatives led to the successful arrest of the suspects within the Bogobiri vicinity.

Authorities confirmed that officers recovered the stolen Android phone and other valuables belonging to the victim during the operation.

The Police Public Relations Officer stated that the suspects attempted to escape but could not evade the coordinated efforts of security personnel.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to participating in multiple robbery operations targeting unsuspecting commuters within Calabar metropolis.

Police sources disclosed that the suspects admitted belonging to the Vikings Confraternity, a group allegedly linked to criminal activities in the area.

“They confessed to specializing in robbing members of the public and disposing stolen items through established receivers,” the statement revealed.

Investigators further disclosed that the suspects provided useful information regarding other members of the syndicate still at large.

The command confirmed that efforts have intensified to apprehend additional suspects, including individuals involved in receiving stolen property.

A senior police officer involved in the investigation said operatives are currently tracking leads obtained from the suspects’ confessional statements.

He added that the command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks operating under the guise of commercial transportation systems.

Residents in the Bogobiri area commended the swift response of the police and the courage displayed by the commercial driver during the incident.

One eyewitness said the quick intervention prevented the suspects from escaping and possibly carrying out further attacks within the metropolis.

“The driver acted fast and did not hesitate. His action helped the police arrest them before they disappeared,” the witness explained.

Security analysts have repeatedly warned about the growing trend of “one chance” robberies in urban centers across Nigeria.

These operations typically involve criminals posing as commercial drivers or passengers to rob unsuspecting victims during transit.

The Cross River State Police Command emphasized that the latest arrest demonstrates its readiness to respond promptly to distress calls.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, especially involving commercial vehicles operating irregular routes.

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Police reiterated that community cooperation plays a critical role in combating urban crime and ensuring public safety across the state.

The statement encouraged citizens to utilize available emergency lines to report incidents or provide credible information to authorities.

“The public should promptly report suspicious activities through our control room numbers or nearest police formation,” the statement advised.

Authorities provided emergency contact numbers including 07041777060 and 07053355415 for immediate response to distress situations.

The Police Public Relations Officer assured residents that all reported cases would receive urgent attention from trained security personnel.

He stressed that the command continues to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to identify and dismantle criminal syndicates within the state.

The command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive policing and community engagement initiatives.

Legal experts noted that the suspects could face charges ranging from armed robbery to conspiracy and cultism under existing criminal laws.

They added that successful prosecution would depend on evidence gathered during investigations and testimonies from victims and witnesses.

Meanwhile, the victim is reportedly receiving medical attention and psychological support following the traumatic incident.

Health professionals emphasized the importance of post-incident care for victims of violent crimes to aid recovery and emotional stability.

Transport unions in Calabar have also reacted, pledging to strengthen internal monitoring systems to prevent infiltration by criminal elements.

A union representative stated that drivers would undergo stricter identification processes to ensure passenger safety across transport routes.

“We will collaborate with security agencies to identify suspicious operators and protect commuters using our vehicles daily,” he assured.

Public safety advocates have called for increased surveillance and routine checks on commercial vehicles operating within major urban centers.

They argued that improved regulation would significantly reduce the frequency of “one chance” robberies affecting residents and visitors.

The Cross River Police Command concluded that investigations remain ongoing as officers pursue other fleeing members of the syndicate.

Authorities assured the public that no effort would be spared in ensuring that all individuals connected to the crime face justice.

The command urged continued cooperation from residents, emphasizing that collective vigilance remains essential in sustaining security across communities.