The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old suspected member of a local vigilante group, Ushie Joseph, over an alleged armed robbery and shooting incident in Effraya Village, Etung Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was arrested in connection with the alleged shooting of 36-year-old Amachi Victor during an attack reportedly carried out around 11pm on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The incident was reported to the police at about 1:45am on Thursday, September 17, prompting an investigation by operatives of the command.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Calabar, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said preliminary findings indicated that Joseph allegedly attacked Victor and shot him with a locally fabricated pistol.
According to the command, the victim was immediately taken to a hospital in Ikom, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Eitokpah said detectives had visited both the scene of the incident and the hospital as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.
The victim also reportedly alleged that the assailant robbed him of $5,000 during the incident.
The police, however, stressed that the allegation remained subject to investigation and would be determined through available evidence and due legal process.
Following intelligence-led efforts, operatives reportedly tracked Joseph to his hideout, where he was arrested.
The police said a locally fabricated pistol suspected to have been used during the attack was also recovered and secured as an exhibit.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, directed the investigating team to conduct a thorough and professional investigation, properly document all relevant evidence and ensure that the suspect was subjected to due process in accordance with the law.
The command assured members of the public that further developments would be communicated as the investigation progresses.
