Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A middle-aged man, whose identity remains unknown, was beaten to death by an angry mob on Ikom Street in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, early Friday morning after he broke into a home, attempted to rob the occupants, and tried to sexually assault a woman inside, according to eyewitness accounts and police sources.
The incident unfolded around 4:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, when the suspect broke into a house on Ikom Street. According to eyewitnesses, he attempted to rob a woman and other occupants of the building and also tried to have forceful carnal knowledge of the woman. The woman fought back, and her screams alerted neighbors in the adjacent apartment, who quickly raised the alarm.
Residents of the area moved swiftly to block the suspect’s escape, overpowering him and dragging him to the main Ikom Street, where he was initially detained by the furious crowd. An eyewitness recounted that the man confessed to the attempted robbery while being restrained. The situation escalated when the suspect attempted to flee.
“We wanted to wait for the arrival of policemen but the suspect wanted to escape. This was why the angry neighbours descended on him with clubs, planks, irons mercilessly. He later died,” an eyewitness said. Residents repeatedly struck him with clubs, wooden planks, and metal objects until he was left unconscious. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Reacting to the incident, the state police spokesman, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said an official statement would be issued in due course, confirming that operatives had commenced investigations into the attempted robbery and the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the prevalence of mob justice in Calabar, where residents have grown increasingly frustrated with rising crime. A similar mob killing occurred in January 2026 in the Abangasang area of Calabar, where a suspected robber was beaten to death. In that case, the Cross River State Police Command arrested three individuals linked to the mob killing.
Police have repeatedly warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that suspects must be handed over to law enforcement for proper investigation and prosecution. The Cross River State Police Command has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for mob action, emphasizing that such acts undermine justice and public safety.
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