Police nab man for leading mob attack on suspected phone thief

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 56-year-old man for allegedly instigating a mob attack on a man accused of stealing mobile phones around Harbour Junction, Calabar.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, who said the incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, following a distress call received by the command.

According to the statement, a police patrol team was deployed to the scene, where operatives found one Chukwu Ebuka being attacked by a mob. The team intervened, rescued him and evacuated him to an undisclosed clinic, where he is currently receiving treatment for multiple injuries sustained during the attack.

The statement read, “The Cross River State Police Command has prevented an alleged mob lynching of a man accused of stealing mobile phones around Harbour Junction, Calabar, following a distress call received at about 8:30 a.m. today, 1 September 2026.

“Acting promptly on the distress call, a police patrol team was immediately deployed to the scene, where operatives found one Chukwu Ebuka, male, being attacked by a mob. The team intervened, rescued him and evacuated him to an undisclosed clinic, where he is currently receiving treatment for multiple injuries sustained during the attack.”

The police spokesman further said one Azubike Micheal, male, aged 56, was arrested over allegations that he instigated the mob and encouraged others to subject Chukwu Ebuka to jungle justice.

He said Michael was in police custody while investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the allegations that led to the mob attack.

“In connection with the incident, the Command arrested one Azubike Micheal, male, aged 56 years, following allegations that he instigated the mob and encouraged others to subject Chukwu Ebuka to jungle justice. He is currently in police custody, while the Command investigates the circumstances surrounding the incident and the allegations that led to the mob attack,” ASP Sunday Eitokpah added.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, preventing crime and maintaining public order in accordance with the law.

CP Ordue cautioned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that persons suspected of committing offences should be handed over to the police for investigation and due process.

“Persons suspected of committing offences should be handed over to the police for investigation rather than subjected to mob violence. I urge residents to promptly report suspected criminal activities and distress situations to the police,” the statement said.

The command noted that its swift intervention underscored its proactive approach to public safety and determination to prevent threats to life and public order through timely response and decisive policing.

It added that further developments would be communicated as the investigation progressed.