(The assaulted officer in the viral video. Photo Credit: Cross River Police Command)
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 60 suspects following the alleged att@ck of a police officer at Watt Market in Calabar.
The arrests came after a video went viral on social media showing the incident, though police said the accompanying narrative was misleading.
The incident occurred Tuesday, September 15, when a concerned citizen alerted police that an officer was being att@cked around Goldie by Etim Edem Lane in Calabar.
A patrol team from Atakpa Police Division rushed to the scene and rescued the officer, bringing him to the station.
The officer told investigators he was trying to apprehend a motorcycle rider whose bike he had attempted to impound.
The rider had allegedly stepped on his leg during duty on September 11.
When the officer moved to arrest the rider, he said roadside traders assisted the rider and att@cked him.
During the alleged att@ck, the officer said his riot gun was tampered with, his uniform and shoes were torn, and his Samsung mobile phone was taken.
Traders poured pepper and egg on him, he alleged, and the motorcycle was forcibly removed, allowing the rider to escape.
The Police Commissioner ordered an urgent operation to identify those involved.
A reinforced patrol team including violence crime response operatives began the sweep at 10:45 am Wednesday, resulting in the arrest of 60 suspects.
Screening and interrogation are ongoing while police work to apprehend others who may have participated.
Police urged the public to rely on verified information rather than incomplete narratives online.
Normalcy has returned to the market with security monitoring continuing.
The command thanked the citizen who reported the incident.
60 Arrested in Calabar Market Over Alleged Assault on Police Constable
Police authorities in Cross River State have arrested 60 people, including traders at Watt Market in Calabar, over the alleged assault and manhandling of a police constable.
The arrests were carried out on… pic.twitter.com/wciq0VpfMm
— torchlightnews (@torchlightnews_) September 17, 2026
