BREAKING: Police Arrest 60 In Calabar Over Viral Video Of Alleged Attack On Officer At Watt Market

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 60 suspects following a viral video showing the alleged assault of a police officer around Watt Market in Calabar.

The arrests followed an incident on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after a member of the public alerted the police that an officer was being attacked around Goldie by Etim Edem Lane in Calabar.

According to the police, a patrol team from the Atakpa Police Division was immediately deployed to the area, where officers rescued the policeman and took him to the station.

The officer reportedly told investigators that he was travelling from his office through Goldie by Bedwell Junction to meet his colleagues when he attempted to impound a motorcycle whose rider had allegedly stepped on his leg while he was on duty on September 11 and subsequently fled.

The policeman alleged that when he tried to apprehend the motorcycle rider, some roadside traders confronted him and allegedly assaulted him while helping the rider escape.

The officer further claimed that the confrontation became violent, alleging that his riot gun was tampered with while his uniform and shoes were torn during the incident.

He also alleged that his Samsung X10 mobile phone was taken from him and that pepper and egg were poured on his face and body before the motorcycle was allegedly taken from him.

Following the report, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, directed the command to gather intelligence, identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable faces prosecution in accordance with the law.

The police subsequently reinforced patrol and surveillance operations around Atakpa Police Division with personnel from the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) on Wednesday, September 16.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 60 suspects in the area. Police authorities said the suspects were being screened and interrogated as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those allegedly involved.

The command said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other persons who may have participated in the alleged attack. It also urged members of the public to rely on verified information and avoid drawing conclusions from what it described as incomplete or misleading narratives circulating online.

Street News Reporters reports that normalcy has reportedly returned to Watt Market, while security monitoring remains ongoing. The police said the investigation is continuing and reiterated that anyone found responsible for attacking the officer would be dealt with according to the law.