Cross River Police Arrest Four More Suspects in Akamkpa Quarry Vandalism Case

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested four additional suspects in connection with the alleged vandalism and theft of infrastructure belonging to Akamkpa Quarry Limited, also known as Sterling Global, in the Akamkpa Local Government Area. Operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit Sector 2 apprehended the individuals in Obung Community on August 27, 2026, following a distress call from local leadership.

Police Public Relations Officer ASP Sunday Eitokpah confirmed the arrests in an official statement released in Calabar. The newly detained suspects have been identified as Michael Ochuche, 20; Elvis Enor Friday, 20; Theophilus Francis, 26; and Charles Vincent Etta, 23. During the targeted operation, law enforcement officers recovered several stolen items, including two long iron poles and six iron reinforcement baskets.

The security operation was initiated after the Village Head of Obung Community, HRH Ntufam Elijah Clement Effiong, alerted authorities that local youths were pursuing suspected members of a vandalism syndicate. Response teams moved swiftly into the area to secure the scene and detain the four men.

These latest arrests represent a significant step in an ongoing investigation aimed at dismantling the network targeting industrial property in the region. The operation follows the earlier arrests of two other primary suspects, identified by police as Kelvin Ignatius and Arnold Okon, in connection with the same facility.

Cross River State Commissioner of Police Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue commended the response team for their prompt action and thanked the leadership of Obung Community for providing timely, actionable intelligence. Ordue reiterated the police command's focus on intelligence-led policing and urged residents to maintain strong community partnerships to help protect vital economic infrastructure across the state.

All suspects remain in police custody as state investigators work to uncover the full extent of the syndicate's operations and track down any remaining co-conspirators. Police authorities stated that all leads will be thoroughly pursued to ensure those responsible face full legal accountability.

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