Police dismantle burglary syndicate in Calabar, recover stolen items

Operatives of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested four suspected members of a burglary and stealing syndicate linked to a series of break-ins within Calabar metropolis, and recovered a large cache of stolen property.

The Command said the arrests followed intelligence and surveillance by operatives of the Uwanse Division, according to a press release issued Friday, June 5, 2026, by ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, Police Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

The suspects arrested are: Effiong Ene, 27; Hope Linus, 18; Patrick Etim, 26; and Maurice Asuquo, 27. Police described Effiong Ene as a “notorious burglar who has been terrorizing Calabar and its environs.”

According to the Command, Effiong Ene was arrested on June 4, 2026 at about 1:00 p.m. After his arrest, he led operatives to the syndicate’s hideouts. A search of the locations led to the recovery of several suspected stolen items.

Police listed the exhibits to include: four large plasma televisions and one small Skyrun TV, two laptops, six decoders, a Philips DVD player, four MP3 players, an Itel tablet, a projector, keyboard, microwave oven, toaster, five standing fans, two short-blade fans, a Thermocool refrigerator, twelve TV guards, and seven hand remotes.

Other items include boxes of clothes, make-up boxes, sneakers, an orthopedic mattress, gas cylinders and burners, solar modulators, stabilizers, two POS machines, PS3 pad, 24 Philips irons, and a carton of master keys.

Police also recovered burglary tools allegedly used by the syndicate: an iron bar, hammer, plier, spanner, four scissors, a knife, eleven damaged padlocks, and a carton of nails.

The suspects are currently in custody at the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, base. Investigations are ongoing to identify fleeing members of the gang and to trace rightful owners of the recovered property.

Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, psc, mnips, commended the officers for their professionalism and dedication. He assured residents of the Command’s continued commitment to combating crime and protecting lives and property across the state.

The Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to support ongoing security operations.