The police in Cross River State have arrested 60 suspects in Calabar in connection with the alleged assault of a police officer at Watt Market.
The arrests followed an incident on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in which a police constable was allegedly attacked by roadside traders and other persons around Goldie by Etim Edem Lane in Calabar.
Key Highlights
- Police arrest 60 suspects over the alleged assault of a police officer in Calabar.
- The incident occurred around Goldie by Etim Edem Lane, Watt Market.
- Police say a viral video circulating online did not accurately reflect the circumstances of the incident.
- The officer alleged that his uniform and shoes were torn during the confrontation.
- He also alleged that his riot gun was tampered with and his mobile phone taken.
- The 60 suspects are undergoing screening and interrogation.
What Happened At Watt Market In Calabar?
In a statement on Wednesday, Cross River State Police spokesperson, Sunday Eitokpah, said the Command responded to a viral video showing a police officer surrounded by market traders and other people.
According to Eitokpah, the video was accompanied by a narrative claiming that market women had held a police officer following a chase involving a suspected internet fraudster. The police spokesperson described the narrative as misleading, saying it did not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding the incident. The account was corroborated by other outlets covering the incident.
What The Viral Video Shows
The video shows the officer surrounded by several traders and other people.
A woman appears to grab the officer by his uniform around the neck, while another person appears to punch him from behind. Another man also appears to attempt to disarm the officer.
Several other people can be seen watching the confrontation, with some recording the incident on their mobile phones. However, the footage has no audible sound and does not, by itself, establish what triggered the confrontation or independently confirm the various allegations made by those involved.
Police Give Account Of Calabar Incident
According to the police, a member of the public alerted officers at about 3:30 p.m. on September 15 that a police officer was being attacked around Goldie by Etim Edem Lane.
The patrol team at Atakpa Police Division was subsequently mobilised to the area and rescued the officer before taking him to the police station.
The officer told investigators that he was proceeding from his office through Goldie by Bedwell Junction to join members of his team when he attempted to impound a motorcycle. He alleged that the motorcycle rider had earlier, on September 11, accidentally stepped on his leg while he was on duty before escaping.
The officer said he later attempted to apprehend the rider but was confronted and assaulted by some roadside traders who allegedly aided the rider to escape.
Officer Alleges Riot Gun And Phone Were Taken
The police said the officer further alleged that his riot gun was tampered with, while his uniform and shoes were torn during the confrontation. He also alleged that his Samsung X10 mobile phone was taken.
According to the police account, the officer alleged that pepper and egg were poured on his face and body, while the motorcycle was forcibly taken from him, enabling the rider to escape. The officer reportedly told investigators that he could identify some of the people allegedly involved in the incident. The allegations remain subject to investigation.
Read also:
- Rivers Police Commissioner Presents ₦76m To Families Of Fallen Officers
- Adamawa Police Arrest Three Suspects Over Alleged Killing of 50-Year-Old Man
- NDLEA Arrests Mexican Drug Kingpin, Uncovers Meth Laboratory In Ebonyi
Police Arrest 60 Suspects In Calabar
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Ajo Ordue, directed the Command to gather intelligence, identify those involved and arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
Eitokpah said patrol and surveillance teams from Atakpa Police Division, reinforced by operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit, arrested 60 suspects in the area at about 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday.
The suspects are currently undergoing screening and interrogation, according to the police. The Command said efforts were also ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons who may have participated in the incident.
Police Say Normalcy Restored At Watt Market
The Cross River State Police Command thanked the member of the public whose alert enabled officers to respond quickly and rescue the constable.
Eitokpah urged members of the public to rely on verified information and avoid drawing conclusions from what he described as incomplete or misleading narratives circulating online. He said normalcy had been restored at Watt Market while security monitoring continued.
The police reiterated that attacks on police officers or other members of the public would not be tolerated and said further developments would be communicated. For more updates, follow us on X.
