The Cross River State Police Command has recovered a stolen Toyota Camry and foiled an attempt by suspected armed robbers to move the vehicle out of Calabar.
The incident occurred on Sunday night, when a grey Toyota Camry with registration number YAD 549 ER, belonging to Mr. Ikyum Mark of Etta Agbor Layout, was reportedly snatched at gunpoint near Hall 2, University of Calabar.
According to police sources, the victim quickly reported the case to the Anti-Cultism Base, which immediately issued a radio alert to the control room and all night patrol units. Acting on the alert, operatives of Operation Sting stationed at Pamol Checkpoint along the Calabar–Odukpani Highway intercepted the stolen car.
The suspects, on sighting the police, allegedly attempted to escape, abandoning the vehicle in a nearby bush before fleeing under the cover of darkness.
The car was recovered and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Confirming the recovery, Commissioner of Police, Rashid B. Afegbua, commended the operatives for their swift action and praised the victim for promptly reporting the incident.
Afegbua urged residents to always provide timely information to the police, noting that public cooperation is vital for effective crime prevention.
Also speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Irene Ugbo, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state. She encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security agencies.
