Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested a 60 year old suspected gun runner, Okon William, and recovered two locally fabricated long guns from him in the Ubanbat community of Odukpani Local Government Area. The arrest was carried out on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., following credible intelligence received by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit regarding the activities of an alleged arms trafficker operating within the community. The suspect was taken into custody after a swift operation, and a thorough search conducted upon his arrest led to the discovery of the two concealed locally made firearms.
Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, who confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, April 20, said the operation was part of the command’s sustained effort to combat the proliferation of illegal arms and violent crime across the state. According to the police spokesperson, the suspect is believed to have been involved in the illicit trafficking of firearms and had adopted covert methods to evade detection for a considerable period. However, intelligence gathered by operatives led to his location and subsequent arrest without any reported incident.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect has already provided useful information to investigators, which is now assisting in an ongoing probe into a wider network of illegal arms fabrication and distribution within Cross River State and beyond. While the police have not disclosed the full extent of the information provided, the development suggests that the arrest could lead to a major breakthrough in efforts to dismantle the supply chain of illegal weapons fueling insecurity in the South-South region. The police spokesperson added that the command is intensifying efforts to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate and recover more illegal weapons.
Commissioner of Police for Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling violent crime and safeguarding lives and property across the state. He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information through the command’s emergency contact lines. The Commissioner’s appeal underscores the critical role of community intelligence in combating arms trafficking, which has been identified as a major driver of kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes in the region.
The suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. The recovery of the two locally fabricated long guns adds to the growing list of illegal weapons seized by security forces in Cross River State in recent months, reflecting the persistent challenge of small arms proliferation in Nigeria. The arrest of the 60 year old suspect and the ongoing efforts to unravel a wider arms network have been widely reported by national news outlets, highlighting the significance of this breakthrough in the fight against gunrunning in the South-South region.
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