60-Year-Old Arrested in Calabar Over Alleged Gun Running

By Benjamin GBOR 

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 60-year-old man, Okon William, over alleged involvement in gun running, recovering two locally fabricated firearms in the process.

The suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit following credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected arms trafficker operating within Ubanbat Community in Odukpani Local Government Area.

Police sources disclosed that the arrest was carried out on April 19, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m., after officers swiftly mobilised to the area based on the information received.

A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of two locally made long guns, which were reportedly concealed in his possession.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is involved in the illegal trafficking of firearms and had adopted covert methods to evade detection. He is also said to have provided useful information to aid ongoing investigations into a wider network of arms fabrication and distribution.

The Police Command confirmed that the suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. 

Authorities added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network and recover more illegal arms.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, assured the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.