By Onwa Ekor
The Cross River Police Command has arrested four additional suspects in connection with the alleged vandalism and theft of facilities belonging to Akamkpa Quarry Limited, also known as Sterling Global.
Police spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said in a statement on Friday that the arrests were made on August 28, 2026, at Obung Community in Akamkpa local government area by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, Sector 2, Akamkpa/Ugep.
According to the Command, the operation followed a distress call from the Village Head of Obung Community, Ntufam Elijah Effiong, who reported that youths were pursuing suspected members of the vandalism syndicate.
The suspects arrested are Michael Ochuche, 20; Elvis Enor Friday, 20; Theophilus Francis, 26; and Charles Vincent Etta, 23.
Police said two long iron poles and six iron reinforcement baskets were recovered from the suspects.
The latest arrests bring the total number of suspects detained in the case to more than four, following an earlier announcement by the Command on August 27.
Commissioner of Police, CP Geoffrey Ordue, commended the VCRU operatives and the Obung Community leadership for their prompt action.
He said the Command remains committed to intelligence-led policing and collaboration with communities to protect critical infrastructure.
Ordue added that investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and to identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
The four suspects, report informed, remain in custody.
The August 27 crackdown was the first public announcement of arrests and recoveries in the Akamkpa quarry vandalism case.
