The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two serving police officers who were intercepted with firearms and ammunition amid the ongoing communal crisis between Ugep and Idomi communities.

The clarification followed a viral video circulating on social media alleging that the officers were arrested in connection with the conflict.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, Eitokpah Akata, said the suspects were intercepted during a joint stop-and-search operation involving police officers and personnel of the Nigerian Army in Biase Local Government Area.

“The Command wishes to clarify that the incident occurred on 5th May 2026, when two suspects riding on a motorcycle were intercepted during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted jointly by men of the Nigeria Police Force and personnel of the Nigerian Army in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State,” the statement read.

According to the police, preliminary findings showed that the suspects are serving members of the police force attached to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the two suspects seen in the viral video are serving members of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and were found in possession of firearms and live ammunition at the time of their interception,” the statement added.

The command disclosed that the officers were immediately taken into custody and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar for further investigation.

“The suspects were immediately taken into custody and subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Calabar, where a full-scale investigation is currently ongoing,” Akata stated.

The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, has reportedly ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

“The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the motive, intent, and full circumstances surrounding the suspects’ actions,” the statement said.

The command also assured residents that any individual found culpable would face the law regardless of status or affiliation.

“The Command assures members of the public that no individual found wanting, regardless of status or affiliation, will be shielded from the full weight of the law,” the police added. (PUNCH)

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