Police nab 60-year-old suspected gunrunner in C’River

A 60-year-old suspected gunrunner, Okon William, has been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command in the Odukpani Local Government Area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the arrest, which was carried out in the Ubanbat community following credible intelligence received by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led to the recovery of two locally fabricated firearms.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, on Monday, the operation led to the swift arrest of the suspect and the recovery of illegal weapons.

The statement read in part, “The Cross River State Police Command, in its sustained effort to combat the proliferation of illegal arms and violent crime, has arrested a suspected gunrunner, one Okon William ‘M’, aged 60 years, and recovered two (2) locally fabricated firearms in the Odukpani Local Government Area of the state.

“The arrest followed credible intelligence received by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit on the activities of a suspected arms trafficker within the Ubanbat community.

“Acting swiftly on the information, police operatives mobilised to the area and apprehended the suspect on April 19, 2026, at about 1700 hours.”

The command also disclosed: “Upon arrest, the suspect was subjected to a thorough search, which led to the recovery of two (2) locally fabricated long guns concealed in his possession.”

According to the statement, preliminary investigations show that the suspect is allegedly involved in illicit arms trafficking and used covert methods to avoid detection.

It added that he has already provided useful information aiding ongoing investigations into a wider arms fabrication and distribution network.

“The suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. Efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the criminal network and recover additional illegal arms,” the statement read.

Reaffirming the command’s stance, the Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, urged residents to support security agencies with credible information, noting that the command remains committed to tackling violent crime across the state.